The Jayhawks controlled the match early, blocking six Providence shots in the first 12 minutes and dominating the first half rebound. But Providence, who made his Sweet 16 debut in a quarter of a century, counterattacked and kept the game close. After 13 laps, Noah Horchler sank two three-pointers in quick succession to pull the Friars to one point in the second half. A few minutes later, he led the basket to give Providence a fleeting taste of the lead. But he proved inadequate to an experienced Kansas team that was effective, albeit sometimes inelegant. Towards the end of the first half, Jalen Wilson, a Jayhawk striker, lost two lay-ups, but got his own rebound each time and was able to push the ball through the hoop. Ochai Agbaji, the finalist of the best national team, scored only 2 of the 8 goals on the field. But with Kansas looking tense and the Friars becoming more aggressive, Agbaji reappeared late in the second half when Christian Braun served an alley-oop behind the 3-point line. Agbaji hit it at home, enlivening Jayhawk fans at the United Center in Chicago, who were quiet for much of the night. Kansas, whose youngest starter is a sophomore in a red shirt, was also able to rely on Remy Martin, an Arizona senior, who led the Jahox to 23 points. Brown, Jr., and Wilson, a second student in a red T-shirt, both reached double-digit rebounds. The Jayhawks will enter on Sunday as a heavy favorite against either Iowa State or Miami, who were to play each other later on Friday. The State of Iowa ranks 11th in the Midwest and Miami ranks 10th.
