No. 1 Kansas turns it up late to blast No. 9 Michigan State, reach Sweet 16

TULSA, Okla. — When it mattered, Josh Jackson seemed to be playing a different game. Kansas’ uber-talented freshman guard is clearly playing his final stretch of college basketball– whenever the season ends, he’ll head to the NBA, and he’s more than ready. But first, he might take the Jayhawks a lot deeper into the NCAA Tournament.

Jackson’s 23 points propelled the Midwest’s No. 1 seed past No. 9 Michigan State 90-70 Sunday afternoon, turning a close game into an easy finish, sending the Jayhawks into the Sweet 16 and showing potential for much more.

Several thousand Kansas fans turned the BOK Center into something that at times sounded like the Jayhawks’ Allen Fieldhouse, which is 220 miles north. They’ll likely have a similar advantage next week at the Midwest Regional in Kansas City, Mo. – a mere 40 miles from their campus in Lawrence, Kan.

BOX SCORE: Jayhawks 90, Spartans 70

For most of the game, Kansas (30-4) was unable to separate from a young but gritty Michigan State team. These weren’t the same Spartans who struggled for much of the regular season.

But when Jackson took over, he showed off an offensive game that left the Spartans defenseless – and at times, gesturing in disgust. The uber-talented freshman’s driving layup and free throw snapped a 1-for-10 shooting streak by Kansas and pushed a one-point lead back to four. He followed up with a nifty stepback 3-pointer over Michigan State’s Miles Bridges, another talented freshman and a longtime friend.

Moments later, Jackson stepped back again, this time for a 19-footer. When the shot nestled into the net, Bridges threw his hands into the air as if saying, what can I do?

Jackson punctuated things by driving from the free-throw line for a dunk and an 85-70 lead, then a steal on the other end.

Frank Mason III had 20 points and Devonte Graham added 18 for the Jayhawks. Bridges scored 22 points to lead Michigan State (20-15).

NCAA TOURNAMENT SECOND ROUND HIGHLIGHTS