UCA Prepares for Number 1 Kansas

The Bears, under the direction of head coach Rand Chappell, will tackle the No. 1 team in the nation in the Kansas Jayhawks at legendary Allen Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase.

The game will be telecast on ESPN Full Court and on the internet at ESPN 360.

"We know we're in for quite a challenge, facing what many people think could be one of the best college basketball teams of all time,' said Chappell, in his seventh season at UCA. "We know our work is cut out for us, but at the same time, it's going to be a memorable experience for our guys. We're playing in one of the most storied gyms in the nation, against the No. 1 team in the country, and on ESPN. That's something you dream about.'

In the past three seasons, while not being eligible for postseason play because of their transition, the Bears have played at Connecticut, at Kentucky and at Vanderbilt. All those teams were good, but none were anywhere near the No. 1 team in the country.

"They have two first-team All-Americans,' Chappell said. "Very few teams have ever had two first-teamers at the same time. And they have McDonald's All-Americans all up and down their roster. They are redshirting the national junior college player of the year. That tells you what kind of talent they have.'

UCA is 1-1 after beating Hendrix College 68-40 last Friday and then dropping a close 71-67 decision to Tennessee Tech on Monday. Both games were at the Farris Center. The Bears' first road trip of the season promises to be an historic one. The Jayhawks feature two of the five Associated Press first-team All-Americans in guard Sherron Collins and
6-foot-11 center Cole Aldrich. They will be looking to extend the nation's longest home winning streak to 43 games.

The Jayhawks, under Coach Bill Self, are just two years removed from a national championship. They defeated Memphis 75-68 in overtime on April 7, 2008 to win the school's third national title.

The Jayhawks are coming off a closer-than-expected 57-55 win over Memphis on Tuesday night in St. Louis.