Barbara Lauter, Lawrence, sings along with the basketball band during a pregame pep rally Thursday afternoon in downtown San Jose. With Lauter is her boxing Jayhawk puppet 'Rocky Hawk.'

Published on March 22, 2007

Lenexa resident and Jayhawk fan Stephen Cloud pumps his fist during the Rock Chalk Chant along with his wife, Barbara Cloud, left, and Julie and Mike Blau of Danville, Calif., Thursday at the pregame pep rally in downtown San Jose.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas gathers at mid-court before taking on Southern Illinois' on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas forward Darnell Jackson rips a rebound away from Southern Illinois forward Randal Falker during the first half of Thursday's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas head coach Bill Self rips into center Sasha Kaun for his defensive play during the first half of Thursday's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose. Left of center is guard Mario Chalmers and right is guard Rodrick Stewart.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Julian Wright is challenged by Southern Illinois' Randal Falker (14) and Matt Shaw (32) on Thursday in the first half at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Darnell Jackson runs into Southern Illinois' Tony Boyle on Thursday in the first half at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Russell Robinson protects the ball from Southern Illinois' Bryan Mullins in the first half on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Darnell Jackson slams against Southern Illinois in the first half on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Sasha Kaun challenges the shot of Southern Illinois' Randal Falker in the first half on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Julian Wright knocks the ball loose from Southern Illinois' Randal Falker on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Darnell Jackson (32) and Darrell Arthur double-team Southern Illinois' Randal Falker in the first half on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Julian Wright hits a jumper over Southern Illinois' Randal Falker on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Brandon Rush heads to the hoop against Southern Illinois' Matt Shaw on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Darrell Arthur attempts to block the shot of Southern Illinois' Tony Boyle on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Sherron Collins celebrates an offensive attack against Southern Illinois on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Sasha Kaun battles for a loose ball against Southern Illinois' Bryan Mullins on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Russell Robinson hits a jumper against Southern Illinois' on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur get their hands on the ball held by Southern Illinois' Matt Shaw's on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Sherron Collins looks for an open teammate under pressure from Southern Illinois' Bryan Mullins on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Southern Illinois Head Coach Chris Lowrey yells at his players on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Brandon Rush attempts to get a hand on the shot of Southern Illinois' Jamal Tatum on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Russell Robinson, center, celebrates with teammates Mario Chalmers, left, and Darnell Jackson against Southern Illinois' on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Southern Illinois' Jamal Tatum lays in a basket against Kansas on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Brandon Rush hits the final point of the game against Southern Illinois on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Darrell Arthur (00) high-fives teammates Mario Chalmers (15) and Rodrick Stewart after defeating Southern Illinois on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Mario Chalmers lunges to defend against Southern Illinois guard Bryan Mullins in the second half of play.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Mario Chalmers slips as he defends Southern Illinois guard Bryan Mullins during the second half of Thursday's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Sherron Collins makes off with a loose ball during the second half of Thursday's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose. Back left is Southern Illinois forward Randal Falker, guard Jamaal Tatum and Kansas guard Rodrick Stewart.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Russell Robinson pressures Southern Illinois guard Jamaal Tatum on an in-bound play during the second half of Thursday's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Rodrick Stewart celebrates as he picks up forward Julian Wright after Wright was fouled with seconds remaining in Thursday night's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose. Left is Southern Illinois guard Bryan Mullins.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas center Matt Kleinmann, right, celebrates with forward Julian Wright after Wright was fouled with seconds remaining in the Jayhawks 61-58 win over the Salukis Thursday night in San Jose.

Published on March 22, 2007

Jayhawk fans Marcia Cordell, left, and Evie Hagerman, both of Overland Park dance in the stands in the second half of the Jayhawks' 61-58 win over Southern Illinois.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Russell Robinson heads to the bucket against Southern Illinois forward Matt Shaw during the second half of Thursday's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Rodrick Stewart pressures Southern Illinois guard Jamaal Tatum late in the second half.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas forward Julian Wright looks to strip the ball from Southern Illinois forward Matt Shaw during the second half of Thursday's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas forward Julian Wright heads up to the bucket past Southern Illinois guard Bryan Mullins late in the second half of play.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas fan Jeff Orndoff, from Kansas City, Kan., snaps a photo of the Jayhawks during warm-ups against Southern Illinois on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca. Orndoff, who donned a KU sticker on his cast, broke his hand in Santa Cruz, Ca., playing around at the beach.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas' Darrell Arthur hits a jumper over a Southern Illinois' Randal Falker on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Darrell Arthur and the rest of the Kansas bench jump in jubilation against Southern Illinois on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Southern Illinois' Jamal Tatum leaves the court after loosing to the Kansas Jayhawks on Thursday at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Ca.

Published on March 22, 2007

Ballboys Will Koenen, Benecia, Ca., center, and Michael Blach, San Jose, laugh as Baby Jay tries to steal Koenen's all-access pass prior to the start of Thursday's game in San Jose.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guards Mario Chalmers and Russell Robinson, right, battle for a rebound with Southern Illinois forward Matt Shaw during the first half of Thursday's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose. Far left is Kansas forward Julian Wright.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas center Sasha Kaun walks off the court with his arm around teammate Sherron Collins after the Jayhawks' squeaked past Southern Illinois with a 61-58 win Thursday night in San Jose. Left is Kansas guard Russell Robinson.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Russell Robinson looks to spin out of a trap by Southern Illinois defenders Randal Falker, left, and Bryan Mullins in the first half of play.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Rodrick Stewart celebrates with forward Julian Wright after Wright was fouled with seconds remaining in Thursday's game against the Salukis at the HP Pavillion in San Jose.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas forward Julian Wright pulls a rebound away from Southern Illinois forward Randal Falker late in the second half.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas forward Julian Wright pulls a rebound away from Southern Illinois forward Randal Falker late in the second half.

Published on March 22, 2007

Kansas guard Russell Robinson drives against Southern Illinois forward Matt Shaw in the second half.

Published on March 22, 2007