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By BRANDON MARCELLO March 22,2019
SALT LAKE CITY — Auburn and Kansas will tip off in primetime in the NCAA Tournament.
Auburn and Kansas will begin Saturday at approximately 8:40 p.m. CT on TBS, it was announced Thursday night.
The second-round game is set to be the final one of Saturday in the NCAA Tournament, providing Auburn coach Bruce Pearl his wish from earlier in the day when he hoped for more hours to rest after playing five games in the last eight days.
"I’m hoping we can somehow get back on Saturday, maybe get a later start time and get some recovery because our team is tired right now," he said.
Auburn survived a furious comeback attempt by No. 12 seed New Mexico State to win 78-77 Thursday. It was the Tigers' fifth game in eight days.
Kansas advanced with a 87-53 demolition of No. 13 seed Northeastern on Tuesday afternoon.
“It is one game, and certainly, you know, sets up a game in which we have to be as athletic and as in tune as we've been all year playing Auburn,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.
Auburn led by eight entering the final 1:50 against New Mexico State, but five turnovers, mistakes, missed shots and free throws, and several Aggies baskets nearly led to a first-round upset. New Mexico State had two opportunities to win in the final 1.7 seconds, but the Aggies missed two of three free throws and a wide-open 3-pointer in those final moments.
“Kansas or Northeastern are not better than New Mexico State,” Pearl said. “They're as good. A great compliment to New Mexico State.
“Our kids worked hard to build that lead and we did not do a great job of taking care of the ball, but give New Mexico State credit for pushing us to the limit.”
A win would send Auburn to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2003. The Tigers have reached the Sweet 16 four times in their history. Kansas will be seeking its fourth straight trip to the Sweet 16 and the program's 32nd overall trip. The Midwest Region's Sweet 16 portion of the bracket will be held in Kansas City next week.
The Tigers (27-9) and Jayhawks (26-9) have met only once on the basketball court. The Tigers knocked off Kansas 66-64 in the second round of the 1985 NCAA Tournament. Auburn's Frank Ford had 23 points and Chuck Person scored 21 as Kansas' Danny Manning was held to 7 points. Calvin Thompson led the Jayhawks with 21.
Second Round: Saturday, March 23
East Region: No. 3 LSU vs. No. 6 Maryland
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | Jacksonville, Fla.
Game info: 11:10 a.m. CT | CBS
Midwest Region: No. 2 Kentucky vs. No. 7 Wofford
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | Jacksonville, Fla.
Game info: 1:40 p.m. | CBS
West Region: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 10 Florida
Location: Wells Fargo Arena | Des Moines, Iowa
Game info: 4:15 p.m. | CBS
West Region: No. 4 Florida State vs. No. 12 Murray State
Location: XL Center | Hartford, Conn.
Game info: 5:10 p.m. | TNT
West Region: No. 1 Gonzaga vs. No. 9 Baylor
Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena | Salt Lake City, Utah
Game info: 6:10 p.m. | TBS
East Region: No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Minnesota
Location: Wells Fargo Arena | Des Moines, Iowa
Game info: 6:45 p.m. | CBS
South Region: No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 6 Villanova
Location: XL Center | Hartford, Conn.
Game info: 7:40 p.m. | TNT
Midwest Region: No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 5 Auburn
Location: Vivint Smart Home Arena | Salt Lake City, Utah
Game info: 8:40 p.m. | TBS
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