CHICAGO - Seeing “Kentucky” on the opponent's jerseys was motivation enough for Brandon Rush.

Knowing Michael Jordan was watching made it a day to remember.

Rush was a career-best 6-of-7 from long range Sunday, including 4-for-4 in the second half as top-seeded Kansas romped past Kentucky 88-76 in an NCAA tournament matchup of two of the game's most storied programs.

Rush finished with 19 points, and Chicago native Julian Wright scored 15 of his 21 in the second half. The Jayhawks shot a blistering 64 percent in the final 20 minutes to pull away and win their 13th in a row.

“We just had a mind-set that nobody could guard us,” Rush said.

Kind of like another guy who played at the United Center.

The Kansas squad spotted Jordan's tricked-out Range Rover before the game, and the Jayhawks were thrilled to know His Airness would be watching them.

“I wanted to give him a great performance,” Rush said of Jordan, who watched from a luxury suite. “The whole team wanted to.”

Kansas (32-4) now plays fourth-seeded Southern Illinois on Thursday in the West Regional semifinals in San Jose, Calif.

Kentucky is the winningest program in college history, while Kansas claims Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of the game. It's special whenever they meet, especially considering it doesn't happen too often. Only 25 times, in fact, and Kentucky had a decided edge for years.