Cal Baptist Lancers<\/h3>\n![\"California](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/03\/USATSI_27759293_168420457_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")
Dec 6, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; California Baptist Lancers guard Dominique Daniels Jr. (1) drives to the basket against Utah Utes forward Josh Hayes (7) during the first half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCal Baptist enters the NCAA Tournament at 25\u20138 after winning the WAC Championship in a tense 63\u201361 victory over Utah Valley. The Lancers have relied on strong guard play and a defense that allows just 67.6 points per game. Offensively, they average 73.0 points and shoot 43.2%, leaning heavily on Dominique Daniels<\/a>, who leads with 23.2 points and 3.2 assists. Martel Williams<\/a> adds 12.7 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Jayden Jackson<\/a> contributes 9.3 points. Cal Baptist also rebounds well with 39.9 boards, giving them second\u2011chance opportunities. Their balance and toughness have carried them through close games.<\/p>\nDefensively, Cal Baptist holds opponents to 41.7% shooting and just 29.7% from three, ranking among the nation\u2019s best in perimeter defense. Their rotations are sharp, and they rarely give up clean looks. The Lancers must stay disciplined against Kansas\u2019 athletic guards and avoid foul trouble inside. Their biggest challenge will be containing Kansas\u2019 size and preventing transition scoring. If Cal Baptist forces long possessions and controls the glass, they can keep this matchup competitive.<\/p>\n
For Cal Baptist to advance, they need Daniels to score efficiently, Williams to provide secondary offense, and Jackson to stretch the floor. Jonathan Griman<\/a> and Thomas Ndong<\/a> must also protect the paint and rebound with urgency. The Lancers\u2019 best path is a slower, defensive\u2011minded game where they limit turnovers and force Kansas into contested jumpers. If Cal Baptist maintains pace control and executes its sets, it can push this game deeper than expected.<\/p>\nKansas Jayhawks<\/h3>\n
<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\nKansas enters the NCAA Tournament at 23\u201310<\/a> after a strong Big 12 season but a disappointing 69\u201347 loss to Houston in the conference semifinals. The Jayhawks average 75.6 points and shoot 45.3%, leaning on Darryn Peterson<\/a>, who leads with 19.8 points and 4.4 rebounds. Tre White<\/a> adds 13.8 points and 6.7 rebounds, while Flory Bidunga<\/a> contributes 13.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. Melvin Council<\/a> provides 12.9 points and 5.1 assists, giving Kansas a steady playmaker. Their balance and athleticism make them difficult to guard when they control the tempo.<\/p>\nDefensively, Kansas allows 69.4 points and holds opponents to 38.8% shooting, one of the best marks in the country. Their interior defense is strong, and they rebound well with 38.8 boards. The Jayhawks must stay disciplined against Cal Baptist\u2019s perimeter scorers and avoid giving Daniels clean driving lanes. Their biggest challenge will be to defend without fouling and prevent Cal Baptist from slowing the game. If Kansas forces turnovers and pushes tempo, its defense can take over.<\/p>\n
Cal Baptist enters the NCAA Tournament at 25\u20138 after winning the WAC Championship in a tense 63\u201361 victory over Utah Valley. The Lancers have relied on strong guard play and a defense that allows just 67.6 points per game. Offensively, they average 73.0 points and shoot 43.2%, leaning heavily on Dominique Daniels<\/a>, who leads with 23.2 points and 3.2 assists. Martel Williams<\/a> adds 12.7 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Jayden Jackson<\/a> contributes 9.3 points. Cal Baptist also rebounds well with 39.9 boards, giving them second\u2011chance opportunities. Their balance and toughness have carried them through close games.<\/p>\n Defensively, Cal Baptist holds opponents to 41.7% shooting and just 29.7% from three, ranking among the nation\u2019s best in perimeter defense. Their rotations are sharp, and they rarely give up clean looks. The Lancers must stay disciplined against Kansas\u2019 athletic guards and avoid foul trouble inside. Their biggest challenge will be containing Kansas\u2019 size and preventing transition scoring. If Cal Baptist forces long possessions and controls the glass, they can keep this matchup competitive.<\/p>\n For Cal Baptist to advance, they need Daniels to score efficiently, Williams to provide secondary offense, and Jackson to stretch the floor. Jonathan Griman<\/a> and Thomas Ndong<\/a> must also protect the paint and rebound with urgency. The Lancers\u2019 best path is a slower, defensive\u2011minded game where they limit turnovers and force Kansas into contested jumpers. If Cal Baptist maintains pace control and executes its sets, it can push this game deeper than expected.<\/p>\n Kansas enters the NCAA Tournament at 23\u201310<\/a> after a strong Big 12 season but a disappointing 69\u201347 loss to Houston in the conference semifinals. The Jayhawks average 75.6 points and shoot 45.3%, leaning on Darryn Peterson<\/a>, who leads with 19.8 points and 4.4 rebounds. Tre White<\/a> adds 13.8 points and 6.7 rebounds, while Flory Bidunga<\/a> contributes 13.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. Melvin Council<\/a> provides 12.9 points and 5.1 assists, giving Kansas a steady playmaker. Their balance and athleticism make them difficult to guard when they control the tempo.<\/p>\n Defensively, Kansas allows 69.4 points and holds opponents to 38.8% shooting, one of the best marks in the country. Their interior defense is strong, and they rebound well with 38.8 boards. The Jayhawks must stay disciplined against Cal Baptist\u2019s perimeter scorers and avoid giving Daniels clean driving lanes. Their biggest challenge will be to defend without fouling and prevent Cal Baptist from slowing the game. If Kansas forces turnovers and pushes tempo, its defense can take over.<\/p>\nKansas Jayhawks<\/h3>\n