Last remaining No. 1 seed survives

Providence’s second-half rally falls short vs. Kansas

CHICAGO — Remy Martin scored a season-high 23 points as Kansas did its part as the only No. 1 seed left in the NCAA Tournament, holding Providence to 17 first-half points and hanging on for a 66-61 victory Friday night to reach the Elite Eight.

The Jayhawks (31-6) made it farther than fellow No. 1 seeds Gonzaga and Arizona, both ousted in the Sweet 16, and Baylor, whose title defense ended in the second round. They will face Miami today in the Midwest Region final.

Jalen Wilson added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Jayhawks, who are back in a regional final for the first time since 2018, when they reached their 15th Final Four. Coach Bill Self is seeking his fourth trip there since he arrived in 2003.

Kansas also moved ahead of Kentucky for the most wins in Division I history with 2,354.

The Jayhawks led by 13 points early in the second half, let it slip away and then regrouped. Fourthseeded Providence (27-6) took a short-lived one-point lead, but Kansas responded by scoring seven straight.

Big 12 Player of the Year

Ochai Agbaji scored a seasonlow five points. But with Martin and Wilson leading the way, the Jayhawks won their eighth straight since a 74-64 loss at TCU on March 1.

Al Durham led Providence with 21 points. But the Friars shot 33.8% and made 4 of 23 3-pointers as their best run since reaching a regional final in 1997 under Pete Gillen came to an end.

Providence starting post player Nate Watson, a senior who grew up in Portsmouth, had eight points, two rebounds and four fouls in 22 minutes. He was 4 of 11 from the field and 0 of 2 at the free-throw line.

Former Norfolk Academy player

David McCormack had eight points, two rebounds and four fouls in 23 minutes for Kansas.

Big picture

Providence: Coach Ed Cooley’s Friars made a huge jump after finishing 13-13 a year ago. With former Norview High player and Kecoughtan coach Ivan Thomas on the bench alongside Cooley, they won their first Big East regular-season championship and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.

Kansas: The Jayhawks delivered another solid defensive effort and made enough shots to keep their championship hopes alive.