8A / SPORTS / THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
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season, Kansas isn't overlooking anybody.
"I wanted to take them out as soon as I saw them," junior forward Markieff Morris said. "But we learned lessons from that game. You know, never take a team for granted. Just because you don't know who they are doesn't mean you can take them lightly."
MEN'S BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 12A)
That lesson even extends to 16th-seeded Boston University. History says the Terriers have no shot — a 16th-seed has never beaten a top seed — but don't tell the Jayhawks that.
"We know that this Boston team is capable of beating us, and we don't want to look past them," Morris said.
More than anything though, the Jayhawks are just excited to get
back after last year's disappointment. Northern Iowa isn't in the field this year, but Kansas is looking forward to avenging the loss.
"We actually just finished talking about it. It's definitely a motivation for us," junior guard Tyshawn Taylor said. "I just don't want us to come out and fear that will happen again. We have to be loose, play, have fun and enjoy this time. We don't get this time too many more times."
Even coach Bill Self, whose 13th NCAA Tournament starts Friday, said he never gets tired of it.
"It's why you do it, to put yourself in this position," Self said. "I'll be excited, there's no question. I'll struggle sleeping. I'm sure our guys will feel the same way."
No one else admitted losing
sleep, but Taylor said it's been all he could think about lately. The Jayhawks say they're more focused than they were last year, but Self wants his team to stay loose above all else.
"I like our team's make up," Self said. "Last year, I liked it too, but maybe a couple times we were a little too serious. Maybe I created that. Maybe it was self-imposed, I don't know. I just want us to go down there, be loose and have fun."
fun.
For that, he calls on the Morris twins and Brady Morningstar.
"They do the best job of anybody of keeping guys loose," Self said. "Those are some goofy dudes."
Edited by Erin Wilbert
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NCAA TOURNAMENT Johnson outscores Alabama State
DAYTON, Ohio — Shot by shot,
Melvin Johnson III played up to his
permanship.
The smooth guard scored a career-high 29 points Wednesday night, putting on the most scintillating show so far in the NCAA tournament while leading Texas-San Antonio to a 70-61 victory over Alabama State in the "First Four" round.
The Roadrunners came to Dayton with a stated goal: San Antonio had never won an NCAA tournament game of any sort. Now, they've got reason to raise a banner in the UTSA Convocation Center.
The Roadrunners (20-13) and their smooth guard head to Cleveland for a game Friday against top-seeded Ohio State, which won't allow all those open shots.
Associated Press
Against Alabama State (17-18), Johnson took advantage of every one. The sophomore had a career high in the first half alone, when he outscored the Hornets 25-21.
Tramayne Moorer and Jeff Middlebrooks had 12 points apiece for Alabama State, which had the worst record in the expanded 68-team tournament.
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