DaytonDailyNews.com

MINNEAPOLIS — Kansas may be considered a top-five program nationally, but Chris Wright, Charles Little and Marcus Johnson were all recruited by BCS conference schools before deciding on Dayton, and they aren't exactly awestruck by an opponent's reputation.

The Flyers are 3-0 against BCS teams this season, beating Marquette, Auburn and West Virginia.

"We got offers from some of the SEC schools and Big Ten schools, and we played against those guys in AAU," Little said. "It's not an intimidation factor because we've played against them. We know what we're capable of and know we can play with them."

UD coach Brian Gregory doesn't always prevail in the recruiting wars, but his target list is generally an ambitious one.

Wright, Little and Johnson "could have gone just about anywhere they wanted to, and that's why we've been successful," Gregory said. "We've been able to show guys ... it's not the biggest school that recruits you. The ultimate goal in the recruiting process find the best fit for you."

Heathcote watching

Former Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote has two proteges coaching games here in Gregory and MSU's Tom Izzo, and all three have been conversing frequently.

"I talked to coach Izzo probably three times (after the game Friday)," Gregory said. "The last one was at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. with both him and Jud in the film room at the Michigan State hotel. We talked a little bit about us and our game and a little bit about Kansas — because Michigan State has played Kansas — and how great it is that we're all at this site together."

Gregory's voice quivered with emotion when talking about Heathcote and Izzo after Friday's win.

"Jud was happy that he gets to watch two games (today) instead of just one," Gregory said. "It meant a lot to have him here. ... I wouldn't be sitting up here if it wasn't for those two guys."

Plenty of athletes

Kansas coach Bill Self likened the Flyers to a previous foe in Tennessee in the way both teams tap into their athleticism to create transition baskets. The Jayhawks beat the Vols, 92-85, in January.

"With coach Gregory working for coach Izzo, who emphasizes going from defense to offense as well as anybody in the country, I'm sure that's been a point of emphasis for Dayton since the day he arrived on campus," Self said. "They do a great job of that. Eliminating transition baskets will be a big key."

Kansas can run

The Jayhawks' transition game has Gregory concerned, especially with the way their post players fill lanes on fastbreaks.

"Their 'bigs' can really run the court," Gregory said. "Their wings get out wide. And if you focus on getting back to the middle of the court, they're going to be knocking down 3's the whole game."