Chalk one up for KU

OMAHA, Neb. — Topseeded Kansas brought at least a temporary halt to the insanity this March, withstanding a wild comeback from fifth-seeded Clemson for a too-close-for-comfort, 80-76 victory Friday.

Malik Newman led the Jayhawks (30-7) with 17 points in a one-time runaway that got much closer and, quite frankly, won’t mean much if Kansas can’t finish the job in the Midwest Region final Sunday.

For the third straight year as a No. 1 seed, Kansas made its way through the Sweet 16. Getting to the Final Four has been a different story — and the Jayhawks are on the doorstep once again.

As a top seed the last two seasons, Kansas made it through the regional semis, only to flop a game shy of the Final Four both times.

“We finished the game about as poorly as a team can,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “We know we’ve got to be a lot better Sunday, but we’re really proud and happy to be in the game.”

Clemson trailed 62-42 midway through the second half, but climbed to within six with 2:27 left. But thanks to Devonte’ Graham’s offensive rebound with 1:57 left, the Jayhawks ran almost a minute off the clock. The Tigers got the next rebound and had a chance to cut it to a one-possession game, but misfired on back-to-back 3s.

Gabe DeVoe scored 31 for the Tigers (25-10), which couldn’t replicate the magic i t showed i n beating Auburn by 31 to reach its first Sweet 16 in 21 years.