Associated Press RUSTON, La. -- Kansas rode its suffocating defense into its ninth straight NCAA Tournament, its 11th overall. But the Jayhawks (20-9) aren't the only ones in the first round of the NCAA Midwest subregional thinking defensively. Vanderbilt (20-12) was No. 8 in scoring defense and 12th in field goal percentage defense this season. The Commodores held Auburn to a season-low 55 points, Kentucky to a season low 55 points, and UC Santa Barbara to a season-low 61 points. But as tough as Vanderbilt is expected to be, Kansas coach Marian Washington said at least it won't be entirely new to her team. "The fact that we have played against a lot of zone will help us," Washington said. Vanderbilt has beaten four teams this season by at least 50 points. Kansas averages 70.5 points a game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field. They also make 35 percent of their 3-point attempts. This season, the Jayhawks have held all but three opponents to 50 percent shooting form the field. "I'm impressed with their whole group," said Vanderbilt coach Jim Foster. "I'm impressed with how they fit together and how they move the ball." |
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