Red-hot Auburn of the Southeastern Conference will be Kansas’ opponent in Saturday’s second-round NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional contest … if the Jayhawks are able to defeat Northeastern in Thursday afternoon’s first-round battle at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
The No. 5 seed Tigers, who have won nine straight games since a 27-point loss to Kentucky on Feb. 23 at Kentucky, held on to defeat No. 12 seed New Mexico State, 78-77, in the first NCAA game of the day Thursday in Salt Lake.
Jared Harper scored 17 points and J’Von McCormick added 16 for the Tigers (27-9). Johnny McCants led New Mexico State of the Western Athletic Conference with 16 points and seven rebounds.