Top-seeded Kansas faces Clemson; Duke gets Syracuse in Sweet 16

OMAHA, Neb.— Everything seems to be in place yet again for Kansas. For the second straight year, the Wildcats need just two wins—in a gym its rabid fans can reach in less than half a day's drive—to reach the Final Four.

It didn't work for the Jayhawks a year ago, though, and winning this year's Midwest Region could be an even bigger challenge.

Top-seeded Kansas (29-7) faces fifth-seeded Clemson (25-9) on Friday night in a Sweet 16 matchup just 200 miles up the interstate from Allen Fieldhouse. A year ago, the top-seeded Jayhawks lost to Oregon in nearby Kansas City in the Elite Eight. In 2016, Jayhawks were eliminated in the regional finals by eventual national champion Villanova in Louisville.

"One of the benefits of being seeded high is (that) you get an opportunity to possibly play close to home. And I don't think it will have much to do with the outcome of this weekend, though," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "I really believe

Associated Press ■ Clemson players run on the court during practice at the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Thursday in Omaha, Neb. Clemson faces Kansas in a regional semifinal today.