OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Top-seeded Kansas ran off to an 85-61 victory over a Portland State team that was making its first NCAA tournament appearance. Brandon Rush led the Jayhawks with 18. Kansas will play UNLV next. The Rebels got 18 points, including four 3-pointers from Joe Darger in a 71-58 thrashing of Kent State. UNLV tied an NCAA tournament record by holding the Golden Flashes to just 10 points in the first half.
Third-seed Wisconsin shook off pesky Cal State Fullerton 71-55. The Badgers take on Kansas State next.
Kansas State won the battle of marquee freshmen as it beat O.J. Mayo and the Southern California Trojans 80-67. Michael Beasley had 23 points for his 27th double-double of the season. Reshirt freshman Bill Walker scored 22 and freshmen Jacob Pullen and Ron Anderson were also in double figures. Mayo scored 20 on 6-of-16 shooting.
