Illinois leads the all-time series, 2-1. Last year, the Illini stopped KU, 84-70, at Chicago’s United Center. Two seasons ago, KU won, 65-55, at Kansas City’s Kemper Arena.
Roy Williams is 1-1 against the Fighting Illini. Williams is 10-6 against Big 10 teams.
KANSAS (25-6)F Nick Collison (6-9)F Drew Gooden (6-10)G Kenny Gregory (6-5)G Jeff Boschee (6-1)G Kirk Hinrich (6-3) |
ILLINOIS (26-7)F Sergio McClain (6-4)F Marcus Griffin (6-9)F Brian Cook (6-10)G Frank Williams (6-1)G Cory Bradford (6-3) |
Tipoff: 9:20 tonight (CST), Alamo Dome, San AntonioLive telecast: CBS |
KU is 16-4 all-time against teams from Illinois and 1-0 against Illinois teams in the NCAAs. KU beat DePaul, 81-77, in the first round of last year’s NCAA Tourney.
A KU win would give the Jayhawks their most victories since the 1997-98 team went 35-4. KU is trying to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1996.
KU last beat a No. 1 seed in the tournament in 1991. KU, a No. 3 seed, beat No. 1 North Carolina, 79-73, in the 1991 Final Four semis. In 1988, No. 6-seeded KU beat No. 1 Oklahoma, 83-79, in the national title game.
0 Drew Gooden, 6-10, 230, F, Soph., Richmond, Calif.
3 Brett Ballard, 6-0, 175, G, Jr., Hutchinson.
4 Nick Collison, 6-9, 250, F, Soph., Iowa Falls, Iowa.
10 Kirk Hinrich, 6-3, 180, G, Soph., Sioux City, Iowa.
13 Jeff Boschee, 6-1, 185, G, Jr., Valley City, N.D.
x-15 Bryant Nash, 6-6, 200, F, Fr., Carrollton, Texas.
20 Kenny Gregory, 6-5, 208, G/F, Sr., Columbus, Ohio.
22 Jeff Carey, 6-11, 250, F, Jr., Camdenton, Mo.
30 Lewis Harrison, 6-0, 180, G, Jr. Kansas City, Kan.
x-33 Luke Axtell, 6-10, 220, G, Sr., Austin, Texas.
34 Chris Zerbe, 6-5, 230, F, Jr., Andover.
44 Eric Chenowith, 7-1, 270, C, Sr., Orange, Calif.
50 Todd Kappelmann, 6-9, 230, F, Jr., Augusta.
x-injured, will not play.
00 Brett Melton, 6-5, 195, F, Fr., Mahomet, Ill.
5 Nate Mast, 5-11, 170, G, Sr., Champaign, Ill.
12 Joe Cross, 6-2, 200, G, Sr., Carbondale, Ill.
21 Robert Archibald, 6-11, 250, F, Jr., Ballwin, Mo.
22 Lucas Johnson, 6-8, 230, F, Jr., Des Plaines, Ill.
24 Sean Harrington, 6-3, 185, G, Soph., Bartlett, Ill.
25 Jerrance Howard, 6-1, 190, G, Fr., Peoria, Ill.
30 Frank Williams, 6-3, 205, G, Soph., Peoria, Ill.
33 Damir Krupalija, 6-9, 230, F, Jr., Rockford, Ill.
34 Brian Cook, 6-10, 240, F, Soph., Lincoln, Ill.
40 Sergio McClain, 6-4, 230, F, Sr., Peoria, Ill.
45 Nick Smith, 7-2, 240, C, Fr., Valrico, Fla.
52 Marcus Griffin, 6-9, 235, F, Sr., Peoria, Ill.