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NCAA Bracket Pits Possible Sunflower Showdown

There are two opponents the Kansas Jayhawks avoid if they had their say: the Missouri Tigers in any sport and Wichita State in men’s basketball.

But an unavoidable clash might occur in the NCAA basketball tournament. It might be entitled “The Omaha brouhaha” if KU and Wichita State win their first games in the NCAA basketball tournament.

That might mean something to Wichita native Perry Ellis, who Jayhawks coach Bill Self says was glad to see playing in the Big 12 tournament.

“I thought that was good,” said Self. “I thought he made some real positive strides. He didn’t play particularly great in the tournament, but we didn’t expect him to.”

Ellis missed two games with a sprained knee.

In Omaha, KU plays at 11:15 Friday morning against New Mexico State, then Wichita State follows with a game against the Indiana Hoosiers.

There will be a new national champion in men's Division II basketball this year.  Central Missouri, which won it last year, lost Sunday night, 71-60, to Minnesota State-Moorhead.  Meanwhile, Northwest Missouri upset top-seeded Augustana of South Dakota, 66-65.  So the fourth-seeded Bearcats will play Minnesota State-Moorhead for the regional title Tuesday night.

Sports have an economic and social impact on our community and, as a sports reporter, I go beyond the scores and statistics. I also bring the human element to the sports figures who have a hand in shaping the future of not only their respective teams but our town. Reach me at gregechlin@aol.com.
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