**3:23 p.m. Update:**
Several KU players shared what past NCAA Tournaments taught them that they can use heading into this year’s run.
**2:55 p.m. update:**
An open-to-the-public practice served as the last part of the Jayhawks’ Wednesday obligations at Wells Fargo Arena. Here is a look at the highlights:
Open practice getting started in Des Moines #kubball pic.twitter.com/z6pmo5WhZh
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Getting loose with passing #kubball pic.twitter.com/jfFr1eMJ3Q
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Freshman bigs Bragg and Diallo taking jumpers #kubball pic.twitter.com/F1tQCxEr9A
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Svi for (a practice) 3 #kubball pic.twitter.com/krs7uJFW7B
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
We’re tweeting about practice #kubball #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/lUc4KBCLIL
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
#KUbball breaks the huddle for practice in Des Moines…. pic.twitter.com/lm0j8mbddT
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
Landed Lucas doing work on the block… #KUbball pic.twitter.com/7mhDa7IyYy
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
Perry Ellis working on that top of the key jumper… #KUbball pic.twitter.com/L6bZfvgj2S
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
Diallo practice jam #kubball https://t.co/a3HuRUM2gI
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
The fan reaction to Cheick Diallo’s post-practice dunk (that followed misses by Vick & Bragg) #KUbball pic.twitter.com/K1GYKh3o0u
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
Jamari Traylor’s half court shot attempt broke the light on top of the backboard… #KUbball Graham made the shot.
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
This is, by far, the most fun I’ve seen #KUbball have at one of these deals in years. Maybe since ’11. They’re happy, loose & laughin a lot
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
**2:10 p.m. update:**
Self: I don’t know if we learned anything from beating Kentucky in January. But it probably did give us confidence.#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: I guess you could feel pressure as the No. 1 overall seed. But I don’t feel any extra pressure.#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: Our guys have been really loose and playing with freedom the last 6-8 weeks and I can’t see that changing b/c of pressure.#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: I do think a 16 seed will beat a No. 1 eventually. I hope it isn’t in 2016.#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: Selden can play better in the NCAA Tournament than he has in past 2 years, only playing 4 games.#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: Smiles got bigger, practices got shorter, jokes got better as KU started playing loose and win streak grew. (Now at 14.)#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: This season they’re tweaking as opposed to revamping late in the year. That wasn’t the case in 2014 or 2015.#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: Diallo is as good a kid as he’s ever had in the program. He has been a 10 in adjusting to an unanticipated role.#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: Diallo is just raw and he’s just a year or 2 away. He’s going to have the last laugh if he’s patient.#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: Diallo has a bright future. Who knows if that will happen at Kansas or at the next level.#kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Self: Obama will probably be mad at him for ruining his chances in his pool now if #kubball doesn’t come through.
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
**1:50 p.m. update:**
Kansas veterans Frank Mason III and Landen Lucas answered questions at a press conference early Wednesday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena.
Mason: This somewhat feels like a home game w/ a lot of fans in Des Moines to support them #kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Lucas: We have a smart and mature team and the vets asked him to focus on what he does best: D and rebounding #kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Mason: Lucas is one of the smartest players on the team and he plays D well down low and hedges on screens #kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Mason: There is pressure w/ every game in the tournament. They obviously don’t want to make history & lose to 16. #kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
Lucas: Once the game starts they’re just playing basketball and you don’t feel pressure of 1 vs 16 history. #kubball
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) March 16, 2016
**1:30 p.m. update:**
A handful of Austin Peay players give their first thoughts on what hearing the words “Kansas basketball” means to them.
When the 2016 NCAA Tournament bracket came out Sunday night, Austin Peay junior forward Kenny Jones says his eyes didn’t move too far from the No. 1 seed line.
The Governors knew they would be a 16 seed and they couldn’t wait to find out which national program they would play in the first round.
Believe it or not, most of the pre-Selection Show discussion in the AP locker room focused on whether the Governors would be in a play-in game, and they actually hoped that would be the case.
Jones says Austin Peay’s players are excited to face Kansas without the benefit of a play-in game, though. And he thinks playing in what should be a packed Wells Fargo Arena, with KU, Kentucky and Indians fans descending on Des Moines, Iowa, will be a special experience, too.
**1 p.m. update:**
Austin Peay senior guard Khalil Davis didn’t fill out an NCAA Tournament bracket, but he has seen on social media and through other avenues that some people have picked the 16th-seeded Governors to knock off No. 1 overall seed Kansas.
A No. 16 seed never has defeated a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Austin Peay on the floor at Wells Fargo prepping for #KUbball pic.twitter.com/DdZLMFScVj
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
More Austin Peay practice, this time in the post #KUbball pic.twitter.com/QRBt0lKPrF
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
A close-up look at Austin Peay big man Chris Horton 18.9 ppg & 12 rpg) #KUbball pic.twitter.com/iNookEieLR
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
A look at the crowd at Wells Fargo Arena currently watching Austin Peay practice. Many waiting for #KUbball at 2:15 pic.twitter.com/IJhjKneiiC
— Matt Tait (@mctait) March 16, 2016
This will serve as your landing spot today as the KUsports.com team covers the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks the day before their 2016 NCAA Tournament opener against Austin Peay.
*- Check back throughout the day for updates.*
