Rush nets 19 in Kansas' win

UNLV eliminated second-seeded Wisconsin, 74-68.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO -- Seeing "Kentucky" on the opponent's jerseys was motivation enough for Brandon Rush.
Knowing Michael Jordan was watching made it a day to remember.
Rush was a career-best 6-of-7 from long range Sunday, including 4-for-4 in the second half as top-seeded Kansas romped past Kentucky 88-76 in an NCAA tournament matchup of two of the game's most storied programs.
Rush finished with 19 points, and Chicago native Julian Wright scored 15 of his 21 in the second half. The Jayhawks shot a blistering 64 percent in the final 20 minutes to pull away and win their 13th in a row.
"We just had a mind-set that nobody could guard us," Rush said.
Kind of like another guy who played at the United Center.
Special spectator
The Kansas squad spotted Jordan's tricked-out Range Rover before the game, and the Jayhawks were thrilled to know His Airness would be watching them.
"I wanted to give him a great performance," Rush said of Jordan, who watched from a luxury suite. "The whole team wanted to."
Kansas (32-4) plays fourth-seeded Southern Illinois Thursday in the West Regional semifinals in San Jose, Calif.
Kentucky is the winningest program in college history, while Kansas claims Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of the game.
It's special whenever they meet, especially considering it doesn't happen too often. Only 25 times, in fact, and Kentucky had a decided edge for years.
Jayhawks on a roll
But it's been all Kansas lately, with the Jayhawks now undefeated in the last three matchups.
This rout was practically a repeat of last year's meeting between the teams in Lawrence, Kan. Rush led the way in that one, a 73-46 blowout that was Kentucky's worst loss in Tubby Smith's 10 years as coach.
The eighth-seeded Wildcats didn't have Randolph Morris in that one, as he served out a 14-game suspension for entering the 2005 NBA draft. But his presence Sunday made little difference as Kentucky (22-12) lost for the seventh time in 11 games.
Morris finished with 22 points, including 14 from the line. Bobby Perry added 21.
Kansas likes to get out and run, but Kentucky slowed the Jayhawks down enough in the first half to keep it relatively close.
That changed in a hurry in the second half.
Rush opened the second half with a 3 that gave Kansas a nine-point lead, its largest of the game to that point. Perry responded with back-to-back 3s that pulled Kentucky within 39-36 with 18:51 left to play.
But Morris left after picking up his third foul with 17:46 still to play. And just like last year, the Jayhawks steamrolled Kentucky with Morris on the bench.
UNLV 74, Wisconsin 68
Kevin Kruger connected on three straight 3-pointers late in the second half and the Runnin' Rebels rallied to beat second-seeded Wisconsin.
The Badgers (30-6) became the highest-seeded team to lose in the tournament, so far.
Kruger was shooting just 1-of-15 in the NCAAs -- including 1-of-7 Sunday -- when he found the range. He tied it with a 3, then hit another to give the Runnin' Rebels the lead with just under six minutes left.
Seventh-seeded UNLV (30-6) led by 12 at the half, but Wisconsin rallied with 11 straight points. A 16-2 run gave the Badgers a five-point lead to the delight of their red-clad fans at the United Center.
But Kruger, who transferred from Arizona State to play his final season for his dad Lon, delivered. After his three 3-pointers, he was fouled on another long-range attempt and made all three free throws to make it 64-56 with a little more than three minutes left.
Wendell White, playing with sore ribs, led UNLV with 22 points. Kruger finished with 16 points and seven assists. Taylor paced the Badgers with 24.