NCAA Tournament: Kansas Turns On Jets In Second Half To Cruise Past Boston U., 72-53

On Friday night, Boston University stayed close to Kansas through the first half. Unsurprisingly, the Jayhawks turned on the jets in the second to win their first 2011 NCAA Tournament game and advance in the bracket, 72-53.

Kansas’ Morris twins led the team, with Marcus scoring 16 with nine rebounds, and Markieff adding 15 with eight rebounds. Kansas shot 50.9 percent from the field, and out-rebounded Boston U., 37-24.

The Terriers trailed by only four at the half before slipping away. John Holland led his team with 19 points, and D.J. Irving added 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Kansas now advances to the Field of 32, and will play the winner of Friday night’s UNLV-Illinois game on Sunday. The Jayhawks are looking for redemption after falling to Northern Iowa in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Other March Madness resources: Our updated printable 2011 NCAA Tournament bracket ... the full March Madness schedule.

Boston University entered Friday night’s game against Kansas with the knowledge that a 16-seed has never won a game in the NCAA Tournament. In the first half, though, top-seed Kansas had its hands full, and at halftime, the Jayhawks lead the Terriers by only four points.

Kansas is on top, 33-29. Marcus Morris leads the Jayhawks with 10 points and seven rebounds. Overall, Kansas is shooting 41.9 percent from the field.

The Terriers have kept themselves in the game on the merits of their three-point shooting. With the help of a couple of kind rattles, six of 13 shots from behind the arc have fallen for them. John Holland leads with 15 points, and Boston University is keeping pace in the rebound battle.

We have seen 16-seeds give top seeds a scare before, but in 107 tries, the No. 16 has never pulled it off. Will the 108th time be a charm? Probably not, but in the first 20 minutes, the Terriers have shown the Jayhawks that they’re capable of hanging with them.

Other March Madness resources: Our updated printable 2011 NCAA Tournament bracket ... the full March Madness schedule.

Star Watch: The Jayhawks have sick depth in both the front court and back court and every player should get some minutes in what should be a shellacking given that KU is a 23 point favorite. If I’m Coach Self I make sure I get all the relevant players in the mix early because they’ll be needed against either Illinois or UNLV in the next round. The Morris twins lead the way for KU on the boxes, while hot shooting Josh Selby, Tyrel Reed, and Brady Morningstar help spread the floor for the talented Kansas bigs. The key is Tyshawn Taylor, he’s the lone creator off of the dribble for the Jayhawks and his skillset will be needed at some point in the tournament.

Prediction: Pain. Bill Self rarely takes his foot off the gas and it’s not like he could if he wanted to given KU’s depth across the board. KU should coast to a victory, call it 78 to 52 Kansas.