No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks (27-7) vs. No. 16 seed Penn Quakers (24-8)
Time: 1 p.m. | Location: Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas
TV: TBS | Radio: IMG Jayhawk Radio Network
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1. Start fast
The easiest way to avoid letting a 16 seed think they have a chance is to knock them out early.
The Jayhawks don’t have to get up 20-0 to do that, but starting fast and building a 10-12 point lead early on would go a long way toward helping the Jayhawks in this one.
Not only would an early 16-6 lead put Penn in catch-up mode, but it also would bring Instrust Bank Arena to life. And judging by the noise and support shown by the nearly 14,000 KU fans who filled the 15,000-seat arena for KU’s practice on Wednesday, getting that group behind them would be good news for the Jayhawks.
2. Get by without Azubuike
It’s looking more and more like Udoka Azubuike will be available in some capacity for KU’s clash with Penn. But if the Jayhawks can play well without him, that would be the best thing for KU’s long term chances.
Self has talked plenty about Azubuike’s MCL injury being the type that can heal quickly with the proper treatment and recovery plan. And the 7-foot sophomore has made great progress to get to this point. Giving him a couple more days of rest could bring the knee closer to full strength in Rounds 2 and 3 if the Jayhawks advance.
But it will be up to Mitch Lightfoot and Silvio De Sousa to hold it down inside so Self has the confidence to keep Azubuike on the bench.
3. Get on the offensive glass
If there’s one area where the Jayhawks can really rattle the Quakers, it’s by hitting the offensive glass and getting second chances after whatever misses they do endure.
Penn is one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the country, allowing opponents to get their own misses just 22.7 percent of the time, which ranks them 10th in the country in that category.
But that’s against the Ivy League. Although Penn will not be intimidated by the name “Kansas” on its opponent’s jerseys today, contending with 6-foot-5 Lagerald Vick, 6-foot-8 Svi Mykhailiuk and 6-foot-9 Silvio De Sousa flying to the offensive boards is another thing altogether.
The Jayhawks, with or without Azubuike should be OK on the defensive glass. Penn gets just 24 percent of its misses back (305th in the country). But watching the bigger KU guards soar by them to loose balls on the defensive end could create a bit of uncertainty for Penn and increase KU’s chances.
Kansas 3-point shooting vs. Penn 3-point defense
You’ve heard about this one since the pairings came out last Sunday and it’s still the biggest story line in this game.
There are a million different ways to break down why each team is so skilled at its particular portion of the 3-point shot. But the most simple stat of them all illustrates things pretty well.
The Jayhawks enter this one ranked 12th in the country in 3-point offense (40.3 percent) while the Quakers rank second in the country in 3-point defense (29.2 percent).
Penn’s players said their philosophy for defending the 3-pointer was broken into three parts — fly around to all of the shooters, guard at the rim without fouling and force long, contested 2-point jumpers.
While getting the best of that will require sharp ball movement and quick aggressive play by Kansas, Self said the Jayhawks were not in unfamiliar territory.
“I think that’s everybody’s philosophy,” Self said. “I don’t think that’s unusual. I think everybody wants to take away layups and take away 3s. So teams play to their personnel. But I do think that’s something they do a good job of, making you play outside of five feet and inside 20.”
It’s the NCAA Tournament. From this point on, if you still have a pulse, you’re doing well.
No. 1 Kansas
G – Devonte’ Graham, 6-2, 185, Sr.
G – Malik Newman, 6-3, 190, Soph.
G – Svi Mykhailiuk, 6-8, 205, Sr.
G – Lagerald Vick, 6-5, 175, Jr.
F – Mitch Lightfoot, 6-8, 210, Soph.
No. 16 Penn
G – Antonio Woods, 6-1, 195, Jr.
G – Darnell Foreman, 6-1, 170, Sr.
G – Ryan Betley, 6-5, 185, Soph.
G – AJ Brodeur, 6-8, 220, Soph.
F – Max Rothschild, 6-8, 225, Jr.