(photo courtesy Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

(Las Vegas) — The last time Markus Burton squared off with Flory Bidunga, it was in the 2023 semistate.

Sadly for Burton, Bidunga is now 2-0 against him.

The big man from Kokomo scored 18 points with nine rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots as Kansas opened the Players Era championship with a 71-61 triumph over the Irish here at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.  Both teams are now 4-2.

The Irish hung with the Jayhawks until the final two minutes, despite a woeful 4-24 performance from three-point range and shooting 34% overall.

Burton, the Penn alum and former Mr. Basketball, led Notre Dame with 24 points, while freshman Jalen Haralson added 13.

The Jayhawks had tremendous balance with four players in double figures. Bryson Tiller scored 17 and Tre White added 16

Trailing by seven at halftime, the Irish pulled within four with 8:11 left on a Sir Mohammad jumper and had opportunities to make it a one-possession game. But a missed three and a turnover opened the door for the Jayhawks to pull away. Tiller hit back-to-back shots to cushion the lead.

Notre Dame made one last surge as Burton made an old-fashioned three-point play with 5:57 remaining. But Burton’s next shot was blocked by Jamari McDowell, and resulted in a Tiller sprint-out dunk.  When McDowell followed that with a three, Kansas led 64-54 and was never challenged again.

Notre Dame faces Rutgers in the second round of the tournament Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on TNT.