How to Watch Arkansas-Kansas, Projected Lineups, More NCAA Tournaments

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The 8 seed Arkansas Razorbacks have an opportunity to defeat the 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

Both teams took care of business in the first round, as the Razorbacks defeated 9-seeded Illinois 73-63, and Kansas beat 16-seeded Howard 96-68.

Matching up with top seed teams is something Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman has become familiar with, as the Razorbacks will face a top seed team for the third time in three years. The Hogs lost to 1 seed, and eventual nation champions, Baylor in the 2021 Elite Eight and defeated the 1 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs overall in the 2022 Sweet 16.

“We talked this morning over breakfast,” Musselman said on Thursday. “We talked about our experiences playing Baylor. We talked about our experiences playing Gonzaga. Some of the things we did really well, some of the things that maybe we could have improved against Baylor.

“We talked about the mindset you need to have to go into this particular game. I don’t know what – it’s not good luck playing three number ones in three years. I don’t know if this has happened before. But if it’s happened before, it certainly hasn’t happened with many programs.”

The Jayhawks — who may be without head coach Bill Self for a fifth straight game due to a reported heart catheterization — have what Musselman described as perhaps the top five starters in the country. Led by Jalen Wilson, No. 12 Player of the Year, Kansas will be stuck.

“It’s March Madness for a reason,” said Kansas guard Kevin McCullar. “Anyone can be beaten and everyone is in the tournament for a reason. It doesn’t really matter your seed when you get here. You have to worry about your next match and go out there and play.”

While the Razorbacks struggled down the stretch of the regular season with three straight losses and then went 1–1 in the SEC Tournament, they still have confidence now that it’s win or go home, especially after winning the first season. round over Illinois.

“You have to trust Muss because he obviously knows what he’s doing,” said striker Kamani Johnson. “Like any big fan base, whenever we’re fighting it’s like the world is on fire, but that’s to Muss credit, what he’s done since he got here. Two Elite Eights in a row, and tomorrow would be a big statement for the our program. I can’t say enough about what a coach he has been and a leader for the program.”

The winner of Saturday’s competition will advance to the Sweet 16 for a showdown with the UConn 4-seed winner and St. Mary’s 5-seed on Thursday or Friday.

Here are details on watch/listen, ratings, projected lineups, stats, odds and more for Saturday’s game between Arkansas and Kansas:

~ Arkansas and Kansas have met on 13 previous occasions. The Jayhawks hold an 8-5 series lead.

~ This is the second time Arkansas has faced Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. The #2 Razorbacks (also seeded #2) lost 93-81 to then #12 Kansas (seeded #3) in the 1991 NCAA Elite Eight in Charlotte.

~ Arkansas is coming off a first-round victory over Illinois. This is the first time since 1996, ’95 and ’94 that the Razorbacks have won three consecutive NCAA Openers.

~ For the third year in a row, Arkansas will face a 1 seed. Previously, Arkansas lost to 1 seed (#3 ranked) Baylor in the 2021 Elite 8 and defeated 1 overall seed Gonzaga in the 2022 Sweet 16.

~ Ricky Council recorded his first double-double as a Razorback and third of his career in Thursday’s victory over Illinois. He had 16 points (11-of-12 from the free-throw line) and had a season-high 10 rebounds, including eight defensive backs.

~ Anthony Black is the only SEC player ranked in the top 25 in five major categories (Pts • Rebs • Asts • Stl • Blk). He ranks 3rd in steals (2.00), 4th in assists (4.06), 18th in points (12.82), 22nd in rebounds (5.11) and 23rd in blocked shots (0.62) .

Who: 8-seed Arkansas Razorbacks (21-13) vs 1-seed Kansas Jayhawks (28-7)

When: Saturday, March 18 at 4:15 pm CT

Where: Des Moines, Iowa – Wells Fargo Arena (16,110)

Television: CBS (Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Allie LaForce)

Streaming/Online: NCAA GAME CENTER

Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)

Gameday info and how to listen online/mobile: Razorback Gameday app

Sirius/XM National Broadcast: 136 (Sirius) / 206 (XM) || SXM App: Channel 967

#0 – G Anthony Black – Fr., 6’7″, 198 lbs.

2022-23 Stats by game: 34.7 min, 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.0 steals, 3.1 turnovers, 0.6 blocks, 46.0 fg%, 30.7 3fg%

#1 – G Ricky Council IV – Jr., 6’6″, 205 lbs.

2022-23 Stats per game: 33.9 min, 16.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.1 turnovers, 0.3 blocks, 44.3 fg%, 27.4 3fg%

#3 – G Nick Smith Jr. – Fr., 6’5″, 185 lbs.

2022-23 Stats by game: 26.5 min, 13.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.7 turnovers, 0.1 blocks, 38.1 fg%, 33.3 3fg%

#4 – G Davonte Davis – Jr., 6’4″, 185 lbs.

2022-23 Stats by game: 33.3 min, 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.1 turnovers, 0.1 blocks, 41.6 fg%, 34.9 3fg%

#20 – F Kamani Johnson – Mr, 6’7″, 230 lbs.

2022-23 Stats by game: 11.4 min, 2.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 turnovers, 0.2 blocks, 50.0 fg%

#3 – G Dajuan Harris Jr. – r-Jr., 6’1″, 175 lbs.

2022-23 Stats by game: 34.2 min, 8.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.9 turnovers, 0.4 blocks, 47.3 fg%, 41.2 3fg%

#4 – G Gradey Dick – Fr., 6’8″, 205 lbs.

2022-23 Stats per game: 32.6 min, 14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 turnovers, 0.3 blocks, 41.1 fg%, 39.9 3fg%

#15 – G Kevin McCullar – r-Sr., 6’6″, 210 lbs.

2022-23 Stats by game: 30.7 min, 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 2.1 turnovers, 0.7 blocks, 43.5 fg%, 29.5 3fg%

#10 – F Jalen Wilson – r-Jr., 6’8″, 225 lbs.

2022-23 Stats by game: 35.4 min, 20.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.4 turnovers, 0.5 blocks, 42.5 fg%, 33.8 3fg%

#24 – F KJ Adams Jr. – So., 6’9″, 270 lbs.

2022-23 Stats by game: 27.3 min, 10.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.6 turnovers, 0.8 blocks, 63.1 fg%

Vegas: Arkansas is a 4.5-point underdog (BetSaracen)

ESPN: Arkansas has 40.4% chance to win

(some information courtesy of Arkansas and Kansas Communications)

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