NCAA Tournament 2023: Top 10 most likely 2nd round upsets to happen
By Joey Loose
5. 8 Arkansas over 1 Kansas
It’s fair to say that Arkansas has underachieved with the amount of talent on this team this year, but it’s also fair that this team would be in better shape had Trevon Brazile’s season not been ended months ago by injury. Regardless, the Razorbacks were impressive, especially on defense, in a 10-point win over Illinois on Thursday and will look to continue that momentum against a significantly tougher foe in Kansas.
The good news for Arkansas this season has been that they got Nick Smith Jr. back from injury, and won a convincing opening-round game despite a poor effort from him. Fellow guards Ricky Council IV (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Davonte Davis (16 points, 6 rebounds) more than covered for Smith, but the offense has to play more efficient against the Jayhawks. Along with Smith, Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh were all Top 20 freshman products and that amount of young talent is unusual on an 8-seed in this Tournament.
One potential positive for the Razorbacks is that Kansas coach Bill Self may not coach in this game, and his absence would certainly swing things slightly more in favor of Arkansas. Eric Musselman has lived for these March games, leading this program to the last two Elite Eight’s. The Razorbacks are not going to kill anyone from beyond the 3-point arc, but they can beat Kansas if they play smart basketball and limit Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick on the defensive end. How will Kansas fare if Self is still absent against a much stronger opponent? They were blown out by Texas in the Big 12 title game just a week ago without their head coach.