Photos

Butler's A.J. Graves (4) goes for a layup as Old Dominion's Abdi Lidonde (11) looks on during the second half of a first round NCAA Midwest regional basketball tournament game Thursday, March 15, 2007, in Buffalo, N.Y.

Published on March 15, 2007

Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich watches his Purple Eagles during their practice Thursday evening at the United Center in Chicago.

Published on March 15, 2007

Niagara's J.R. Duffy (13) practices his three point shot during practice on Thursday at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. Duffy and the 23-11 Purple Eagles take on the Jayhawks in the first round of the 2007 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Published on March 15, 2007

The Kansas University Jayhawks gather their belongings following a short practice on Thursday afternoon at the United Center in Chicago, Ill.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas Head Coach Bill Self signs an autograph for Steven Hansen, 15, from Woodridge, Ill., after practice on Thursday at the United Center.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas Head Basketball Coach Bill Self, left, slaps hands with childhood friend Kirt Jones, from Chicago. Self and Jones grew up together in Edmond, Ok.

Published on March 15, 2007

The Kansas University Jayhawks, including Brandon Rush and Sasha Kaun, enter the United Center in Chicago, Ill., for practice on Thursday in preparation for the first round of the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament. KU plays Niagara on Friday at 6:10 p.m.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas University's Brandon Rush laughs at all the comotion as fans, including Ethan Mershon, (red hair) 10, from Clarendon Hills, Ill., bombard the Jayhawks for autographs as they exit the United Center in Chicago, Ill. The Jayhawks practiced on Thursday afternoon in the Windy City for Friday's game against Niagara.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas fans, from left, Ryan Yates, Jeremy Wright, Tom Sowinski, Nick Haldes, and Ian Scheffler hang their shirts over the edge of the stands and beg Julian Wright for an autograph as he exits the United Center in Chicago, Ill. Kansas tips off against Niagara on Friday at 6:10 p.m.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas University alumnus Matt Cullen, a 2000 graduate living in Chicago, snaps a photo of the Jayhawks practicing on Thursday at the United Center in Chicago, Ill.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas freshman Sherron Collins practices threes on Thursday during practice at the United Center in Chicago, Ill.

Published on March 15, 2007

The Jayhawks huddle up at center court following Thursday's practice at the United Center in Chicago.

Published on March 15, 2007

The Jayhawks run a weave to start off practice at the United Center Thursday afternoon in Chicago.

Published on March 15, 2007

Young Jayhaw fan Connor Anthony, 10, Glenview, Illinois slaps the hands of the Jayhawks as they take the court Thursday night for practice at the United Center in Chicago.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas University head basketball coach Bill Self reaches up to sign an autograph for Nicco Russotti, 14, of Woodridge Illinois Thursday following the Jayhawks' open practice at the United Center in Chicago. The 'Hawks will take on Niagara with a 6:10 p.m. tipoff.

Published on March 15, 2007

The Jayhawks run through their practice Thursday afternoon at the United Center in Chicago.

Published on March 15, 2007

The Kansas University men's basketball team practices full-court dribbling Thursday at the United Center in Chicago. The Jayhawks will take on Niagara in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at 6:10 tonight.

Published on March 15, 2007

Georgetown's Roy Hibbert (55) dunks over the defense of Belmont's Andrew Preston (45) and Keaton Belcher (3) during an NCAA East Regional first-round basketball game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, March 15, 2007. Georgetown won 80-55.

Published on March 15, 2007

Washington State's Ivory Clark, center, goes up for a basket against Oral Roberts' Moses Ehambe, left, and Shawn King during the first round of the NCAA East Regional basketball tournament at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 15, 2007.

Published on March 15, 2007

Louisville's Terrence Williams, left, scoops up a loose ball in front of Stanford's Lawrence Hill in the second half of a first round basketball game of the South Regional of the NCAA Tournament in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, March 15, 2007. Louisville defeated Stanford 78-58.

Published on March 15, 2007

Maryland's Will Bowers grabs a rebound over Davidson's Stephen Curry (30) during the second half of a first round NCAA Midwest regional basketball tournament game Thursday, March 15, 2007, in Buffalo, N.Y.

Published on March 15, 2007

Texas Tech's Martin Zeno drives to the basket past the defense of Boston College's Tyler Roche (22) and Sean Marshall, left, during an NCAA East Regional first round basketball game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, March 15, 2007.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas pitcher Paul Smyth attempts to field a bunt as Wichita State's Conor Gillaspie runs to first.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas' second baseman Ryne Price hits the wall going after a fly ball. Kansas played Wichita State Wednesday night at Hoglund Ballpark.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas University's Ryne Price lies flat on the ground after running into the wall on the first-base side of the diamond. The Jayhawks were laid out by Wichita State, 18-3, on Wednesday at Hoglund Ballpark. Story on page 3C.

Published on March 15, 2007

Kansas University third baseman Robby Price waits for the throw as Wichita State's Jared Simon slides into the bag. KU struggled against its in-state foe, falling 18-3 on Wednesday at Hoglund Ballpark.

Published on March 15, 2007

Thirty onlookers helped to send off KU men's basketball coach Bill Self on Wednesday at Allen Fieldhouse as he and the team left for Chicago for the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Published on March 15, 2007

Brothers Aaron, 5, right, and Austin Butell, 9, of Lawrence, receive autographs from Rodrick Stewart, left, and Darnell Jackson before the Jayhawks board the bus. The Butells were among the 30 onlookers Wednesday at Allen Fieldhouse when the Jayhawks left for Chicago for the NCAA Tournament.

Published on March 15, 2007

Mike Davis, Kansas University Alumni Association senior vice president, left, and Heath Peterson, director of KU programs, load up a Jayhawk bound for KU's first-round game against Niagara on Friday in Chicago. Staffers from the alumni organization left for Chicago on Wednesday with the Rock Chalk Trailer filled with KU T-shirts, stickers and other items.

Published on March 15, 2007

KANSAS UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL COACH BILL SELF laughs with media members while holding a copy of the Chicago Sun-Times that includes the headline, "This Bill's Due." Self and the Jayhawks arrived at their team hotel in Chicago on Wednesday night in preparation for Friday's game against Niagara.

Published on March 15, 2007