Kansas and Purdue meet with contrasting styles in Sweet 16

Going to the game tonight? Be sure to check out the Wendy's food truck for a free burger!

- KANSAS SPORTS -

Star players illustrate contrasting styles in KU-Purdue, Sweet 16 showdown | KUsports.com

While the two superstars won’t spend much, if any, time guarding each other and probably won’t even be in the same areas on the court all that often, the matchup between Purdue big man Caleb Swanigan and Kansas point guard Frank Mason III provides the perfect trailer for tonight’s clash.

Gameday Breakdown, Sweet 16: KU vs. Purdue | KUsports.com

"The 3-point line is huge," said KU freshman Josh Jackson. "We’ve got some pretty good shooters and so do they. I think the thing we gotta do is turn their shooters into drivers and run them off the 3-point line a little bit.... We’re definitely not trying to out-shoot 'em. We’re not trying to turn this into a horse contest."

Most player of the year votes counted before Mason and Swanigan tip off | KUsports.com

Most of the ballots were returned and the majority of the votes will be counted by the time Frank Mason and Caleb Swanigan face off against each other Thursday night in the Sweet 16.

Boilermakers bracing for KU-friendly environment at Sprint Center | KUsports.com

"It’s gonna be a hostile environment," Edwards predicted of the next time the Boilermakers appear in front of Kansas supporters. "They’re only about 40 minutes away from their gym, so they’re gonna come packed."

The teacher who flunked Frank Mason: a Kansas basketball success story

U.S. and Virginia Government is a 12th-grade class. Along with English 12, it’s one of two classes required by the state for graduation. Mason did not pass, so he could not graduate, and for a time, high school teacher Terri Smith felt the town’s anger.

Blair Kerkhoff: Iowa State factor favors Purdue over KU, sort of

So, the transitive property advantage goes to Purdue, right? The Boilermakers beat the team that won at Kansas, therefore Purdue has a competitive edge in the Sweet 16 matchup Thursday at the Sprint Center.

Caleb Swanigan overcame homelessness, obesity in journey to Purdue

His unlikely journey to college basketball stardom at Purdue — documented by Bleacher Report, ESPN and several other outlets since — required overcoming his weight issues, homelessness and first-hand encounters with drug addicts.

Will KU double-team Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan?

Some eight weeks before the NCAA Tournament bracket was announced, Bill Self was worried about Purdue. "I think as a coach you look at it and say, ‘OK, what teams out there are a little bit different that could potentially be a contrasting style that you could match up with?’" Self said. "And Purdue was the first one that came to mind."

How will Kansas defend Caleb Swanigan and Purdue, the team built to beat it?

Now it’s March, and the squad that Self took notice of two months ago is staring him in the face. Caleb Swanigan, the most dominant big man in college basketball, is sitting in an adjacent locker room. The team that stands between the Jayhawks and the Elite Eight is one that might as well have been constructed by basketball engineers trying to answer a pressing question: How do you beat Kansas?

Kansas coach’s inside look at Sweet 16 preparation vs Purdue - SBNation.com

Some interesting nuggets ahead of the Jayhawks’ upcoming matchup.

KU will be on guard in Sweet 16 matchup against Purdue

"I think speed beats size every time, every day of the week," Jackson said. "We’ve just got to come out, play our game and make it a fast-paced game."

The Purdue game plan: Slow Kansas’ transition attack

As simply-stated as Kansas’ defensive focus might be Thursday — limiting Purdue’s front-court effectiveness — the plan on the other side is just as straightforward. Slow the transition game, led by Frank Mason.

KU’s Landen Lucas has new offensive weapon in NCAA Tournament

"Last game was my left hook I was more comfortable with. This game was my right hook," Lucas said after the win. "I don’t know which one it’s going to be, but once I get a feel for it, once one starts falling, I’ll keep going back to it."

Hidden behind stoic poker face, Kansas' Frank Mason dismantles opponents - CBSSports.com

Mount Rushmore has more range of emotion. A block of wood is more expressive. Any guesses as to what the Kansas guard is thinking at any given moment start and end with his blank countenance.

KU baseball opens long homestand with loss to Creighton | KUsports.com

As the Jayhawks began a nine-game homestand on Wednesday against Creighton, they were able to jolt the Bluejays in the first inning, but the offense fizzled the rest of the way during a 7-3 setback at Hoglund Ballpark.

Judge dismisses ex-rowers' suit against University of Kansas Jayhawks

The lawsuit initially filed in March 2016 by James and Amanda Tackett claimed that when recruiting their daughter to attend and row for Kansas, the school falsely advertised safe residence halls and violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. The suit claimed the university knew there had been sexual assaults in its dorms.

- COLLEGE SPORTS -

KC is hottest ticket among NCAA regionals and KU can’t keep up with fan demand

The Midwest Regional at the Sprint Center involving Kansas, Purdue, Oregon and Michigan is the toughest ticket in the NCAA Tournament among the four sites this weekend.

Forgive me, but I'm rooting for the story: John Beilein and Michigan

Reporters know the ironclad rule: No cheering in the press box. Ah, but there’s a loophole: We’re allowed to root for the story. And, man, is there a better story in American sports just now than the Michigan Wolverines?

Iowa State QB Joel Lanning now Cyclones’ starting middle linebacker | CollegeFootballTalk

The dual-threat quarterback is on track to become Iowa State's starting middle linebacker this fall.

- PROFESSIONAL SPORTS -

How Marcus Stroman went from dreaming of pitching for Puerto Rico to America's WBC hero

The symbol of American baseball dominance, 11 years in the waiting, March edition, was a 5-foot-8 half-African American, half-Puerto Rican kid from Long Island who, in declaring for Team USA three months ago, managed to innocently piss off both places.

Team USA's Ian Kinsler on Latin flair at WBC: 'That just wasn't the way we were raised'

Speaking to Billy Witz of the New York Times about the contrasts between Team USA and Puerto Rico, Kinsler unleashed a quote lathered with outdated baseball traditionalism. Kinsler didn’t quite say that the teams from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic "don’t play the game the right way," but he’s critical of style and passion of both teams and the culture he says fosters it.

Aaron Rodgers' Green Bay house is for sale, and you might even be able to afford it!

Rodgers’ four-bedroom, three-bath, 4,012-square-foot abode (via Redfin) in Suamico, Wis., is up for sale. The price: $424,900. Amazing! That’s barely $100/square foot, which New Yorkers are currently vomiting at as they read this. Green Bay real estate, baby.