Jeff Boschee bricked a free-throw with 19.4 seconds to go. Keith Langford did not miss his opportunity 17 seconds later. In fact, Kansas’ freshmen proved their worth today, as the Jayhawks avenged last year’s Sweet 16 loss to these same Illini.

Langford, Aaron Miles and Wayne Simien combined for 35 of KU’s 73 points. The three frosh held their own on both offense and defense, holding off Illinois’ big Frank Williams when it mattered.

Illinois started the second half with an 11-5 run to knot the game at 45 points each with just under 16 minutes to go. Kansas, with several key players in foul trouble, refused to lose control of the game.

With Nick Collison out and Kirk Hinrich seeing limited action, freshmen Aaron Miles and Keith Langford have stepped up. Kansas has a higher shooting percentage, and are outrebounding the Illini.

Kansas led Illinois 40-34 at halftime. The Illini refused to let the Jayhawks run away with the game, however. The action was fast-paced and physical, with many of both teams’ starters piling fouls. Both Collison and Hinrich earned three first-half fouls each. Collison fouled out with 1:15 to play in the second half.

Drew Gooden each had 15 points, 13 rebounds and four assists; Langford also scored 15 points. Aaron Miles had 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Nick Collison knocked in 11 points – all in the second half – and nine rebounds. Jeff Boschee added six points, and Hinrich and Jeff Carey each had three.

Kansas out-rebounded Illinois 41-34, and shot 47 percent to the Illini’s 38 persent.

Kansas plays Oregon Sunday at 1:40 p.m. for the right to advance to the Final Four in Atlanta.

Stay tuned to the Lawrence Journal-World and tourney.kusports.com for full coverage of the NCAA tournament.