Defense key for Baylor in NCAA tourney opener vs. UC Santa Barbara

Baylor was a top seed but failed to reach the second weekend of last year's NCAA Tournament.

This time around, the Bears have earned a No. 3 seed but come limping into the tournament having lost four of their last six outings. They will meet No. 14 seed UC Santa Barbara, champions of the Big West Conference, in first-round South Region play on Friday in Denver.

The Bears lost to eventual national runner-up North Carolin