1 Kansas (30-4) vs. 4 Purdue (27-7)
Time: 6:39 p.m. PDT. TV: Channel 2
Bottom line: Kansas ran roughshod through UC Davis and Michigan State to reach the Sweet 16, which will be played about 40 miles from its campus in Lawrence. These Jayhawks are a departure from Coach Bill Self ’s typical teams in that they use a four-guard lineup, led by standout Frank Mason III and star freshman Josh Jackson. Purdue will counter with a whole lot of size, led by 6-foot-9, 250-pound sophomore Caleb Swanigan and 7-footer Isaac Haas. The Boilermakers had a first-round tussle with Vermont before fending off another Big 12 foe, Iowa State, to reach the regional semifinals.
Fabulous freshmen: Jackson has sent his NBA draft stock soaring with two exemplary games in the NCAA tournament, probably locking up a spot in the lottery if he departs after this season. Purdue also has a key freshman in guard Carsen Edwards, who averages more than 10 points coming off the bench.
Did you know: The Jayhawks are 2-1 against Purdue in the NCAA tournament, losing in 1994 and winning the next two meetings, including the 2012 regional in Omaha. Their series dates to 1948, when the teams split a home-and-home series.