Round 2
Midwest Region:
#3 Kansas Jayhawks (2008) vs #11 Butler Bulldogs (2010)
Kansas Starting lineup: PG PG Russell Robinson; SG Mario Chalmers; SF Brandon Rush; PF Darnell Jackson; C Cole Aldrich.
Butler Starting lineup: PG Ronald Nored; SG Shelvin Mack; SF Garrett Butcher; PF Gordon Hayward; C Matt Howard.
Combining a fast-paced offense, hot shooting, and a defense that produced 6 early turnovers, Kansas spurted in front 18-5 in the first 5 minutes of play. Two minutes later they were ahead 26-11. But the Bulldogs turned things around and with 4 minutes to go in the half, Butler took a 36-35 lead. That woke up the Jayhawks and they came out of the half sporting a 46-43 lead. Butler hit 58% of their shots while Kansas knocked down 57% of theirs, but Kansas controlled the boards 19-8. Kansas’ Mario Chalmers and Butler’s Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard each were saddled with 3 fouls.
The Bulldogs came out in the 2nd half firing and went ahead 55-50 with 17 minutes to play. Four minutes later, though, Kansas was back on top by 3 points and by the midpoint of the 2nd half, Kansas held a 70-61 lead. The Jayhawks’ lead grew to 17 points with 7 minutes to go as they were hitting shots from all over the court. Butler had no answers to the offensive onslaught and Kansas drove to a 95-76 whipping of the Bulldogs. Kansas hit 63% of their FG’s and were +11 on the boards.
Leading the way for the Jayhawks was reserve C/PF Darrell Arthur with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. Matt Howard had 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, Garrett Butcher contributed 15 points and 5 boards, Mario Chambers scored 10 and had 3 steals, and Russell Robinson finished with 9 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Butler’s Shelvin Mack scored 17 points and had 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals while Gordon Hayward added 15 points.
Next up: #5 Wisconsin (2015) vs #13 Iowa State (2017)