No. 2 Kansas Goes Flat in Rout by Villanova

Undefeated Kansas never stood a chance once Allen Ray, Curtis Sumpter and the rest of the spirited Villanova Wildcats got rolling.

Sumpter made five three-point baskets and scored 25 points, Ray made four three-pointers and scored 27 points and Villanova stunned No. 2-ranked Kansas, 83-62, Saturday.

“Villanova today, the Eagles tomorrow!” one fan yelled, referring to the NFC title game between Atlanta and Philadelphia.

It was the Jayhawks’ worst loss under second-year Coach Bill Self and most lopsided defeat since they lost to Wake Forest by 31 points Dec. 7, 2000.

“It had been coming,” Self said. “We’ve been putting a lot of band aids on our deficiencies.”

The Jayhawks (14-1) have hardly played like one of the best teams in the country lately with four of their last five games decided by no more than six points.

Kansas played fast and loose with the ball with bad decisions and costly turnovers.

Self benched his starters for one long stretch in the second half as the game turned into a blowout and the Wildcats (10-4) pounced on every Kansas mistake with one big shot after another.

“Villanova exposed us,” Self said.

It was the most important regular-season victory in Coach Jay Wright’s four seasons.

“I know the program’s going in the right direction,” Wright said.

Villanova had lost its last two games on free throws in the last seconds, but this one was never really close. After leading by seven points at halftime, the Wildcats went on a 15-2 run to open the second half, gave up three points, then reeled off 16 points in a row. They led by as many as 32 points.

Sumpter and Ray were nearly unstoppable in the second half, helping the Wildcats to their biggest upset since beating No. 1 Connecticut in 1994.

Sumpter keyed the first big run of the second half with seven points, then Ray took over, scoring 11 points in a row.

Wayne Simien scored 15 points for Kansas.

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... And Then There Were Three

The remaining three unbeaten Division I teams, and their next tests:

Illinois (19-0)

Next up: Tuesday at Wisconsin. The Badgers have the longest active home winning streak in the nation at 38 games, including a 76-56 victory over the Illini last season.

Duke (15-0)

Next up: Wednesday vs. Maryland. The Terrapins have won at Durham only four times in the last 20 years, losing even during their 2001-02 national championship season.

Boston College (16-0)

Next up: Wednesday at Providence. The Eagles have won three of their last four at Providence. The Friars are winless in the Big East