Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Malik Newman certainly did not envision the magnificent postseason he’s been enjoying back in December and January when he was struggling. Even before that, there was the injury-plagued freshman year at Mississippi State, the entering and pulling out of the NBA draft and finally the transfer to Kansas. He’s the Jayhawks’ leading tournament scorer with 18.3 points per game.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — No. 1 Kansas and No. 2 Duke will square off in the Midwest final on Sunday for the last spot in the Final Four _ and the stakes are huge even by Elite Eight standards. Mike Krzyzewski is looking to break UCLA legend John Wooden’s record of 12 Final Four appearances. Kansas coach Bill Self, who recently joined Krzyzewski and Wooden in the Naismith Hall of Fame, is hoping to snap a two-year losing streak in regional finals and a 2-7 personal record in Elite Eights.

ATLANTA (AP) — No. 11 seed Loyola is headed to the Final Four after beating No. 9 seed Kansas State 78-62 in the South Regional final. After three close calls in the NCAA Tournament, the Ramblers shot 57 percent and romped to a win over the defensive-minded Wildcats. So now it’s on to San Antonio for the team that has become a national phenomenon with its 98-year-old team chaplain, Sister Jean.

UNDATED (AP) — Top seeds to determine final spots in Final Four following rash of upsets on left side of the bracket. No. 1 Kansas faces No. 2 Duke in the Midwest, No. 1 Villanova against No. 3 Texas Tech in the East.

UNDATED (AP) — In an NCAA Tournament dominated by upsets, Friday belonged to the favorites. Top seeds Kansas and Villanova, along with second-seeded Duke all moved on to the Elite Eight after holding on for close wins. All three teams are on the right side of the tourney bracket. Joined by Texas Tech, the foursome alone would make for intriguing Final Four. That makes any team that emerges from Sunday a likely top contender for the national title.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Kansas City Royals pitcher Danny Duffy made an early exit in his final spring tuneup because of shoulder tightness, but said he’s certain he will be OK to pitch on opening day. Duffy is scheduled to start the opener for the second straight year, facing the Chicago White Sox at home on Thursday. The lefty came out of the game against an Arizona split squad with a trainer in the third inning.