Rush: UK has solid defense

By Gary Bedore     Mar 17, 2007

? Kansas University will meet Kentucky in a second-round clash at 4 p.m. Sunday at the United Center. The Wildcats beat Villanova, 67-58, in Friday’s late game.

“I know Kentucky has strong transition defense,” said KU sophomore Brandon Rush, who exploded for a career-high 24 points off 9-of-15 shooting in the Jayhawks’ 73-46 rout of the Wildcats last season at Allen Fieldhouse.

“They are very good on defense. They’ll want to make up for that game last year.”

Of his own play in that game, Rush said: “My mind-set was different against Kentucky. I tried to be aggressive and make plays.”

KU junior Russell Robinson said the Wildcats, “will have big incentive. A lot is riding for their coach (the embattled Tubby Smith). They’ll remember the last two years (KU also won, 65-59, at UK during Robinson’s freshman year). It’s two great programs.”

KU coach Bill Self said he respects UK coach Smith as much as anybody in the business.

“They are a better team than last year and more balanced,” Self said. “They really guard, don’t give up easy baskets. They have always been that way under Tubby Smith.”

Sunday’s first game will match Nevada-Las Vegas against Wisconsin at 1:30 p.m., with the KU-UK game to follow 30 minutes after the final horn.

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