What went wrong with Kansas?
Jeff Borzello: Devo Davis, basically. One Big 12 head coach told me before the tournament that Kansas' lack of size made it susceptible at the basket due to its inability to protect the rim. On paper, Arkansas felt unlikely to test that because the Razorbacks don't have a go-to post player. But Arkansas took advantage in other ways. Davis and his teammates were absolutely relentless while attacking the rim in the second half, driving off the bounce and finishing in traffic -- especially after Kansas' K.J. Adams Jr. and Ernest Udeh Jr. were saddled with foul trouble. The Razorbacks also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and had 15 second-chance points.Another quote from the aforementioned Big 12 coach struck me on Saturday night: "Gradey [Dick] and Jalen [Wilson] have to make shots. One of them making them isn't enough." Wilson went to work, but Dick had seven points on 3-for-9 shooting. Davis was simply elite at both ends of the floor.
Myron Medcalf: Well, I tend to think it's more about what went right with an Arkansas team that hasn't played like this in a consistent stretch all season. The Razorbacks -- who never had any questions about their athletic capabilities -- are defending, controlling the offensive glass and making key plays down the stretch in the most crucial chapter of the season. But Kansas' Kevin McCullar Jr. fouled out late, and Gradey Dick finally looked like a freshman, which put even more pressure on Jalen Wilson to do it all late; and the Jayhawks also didn't have their head coach.
Norm Roberts did a good job getting this Kansas team to the second round. In those crucial moments, however, Hall of Famer Bill Self wasn't on the sideline to steady his players when Arkansas had them on the ropes. I think that was a significant element in all of this, despite what anyone said about it.
John Gasaway: Where have you gone, David McCormack? Arkansas launched 15 attempts from beyond the arc (and made just three) but also got into the interior against Kansas. That's where Eric Musselman's team really got the job done. After allowing the Hogs to grab 15 offensive boards and score 21 points at the line, the Jayhawks were sent home after just two games. Both the quick exit and its nature are a surprise. KU's interior defense in Big 12 play was quite good, but that was no help against Arkansas when it mattered most.
