Word is, don't mess with Texas -- A&M, that is

Ohio State is the top seed in this region, but the feeling here is that the Buckeyes won't be the top dog when the teams come out of San Antonio. Nor will No. 2 Memphis, although the Tigers can play with anyone. We think this is going to be a Texas weekend in Texas -- or, rather, an Aggie weekend.

It will take some doing, but should the Aggies get back home, they will have an edge on the two seeds ahead of them.

But let's start with the top-seeded Buckeyes and freshman star Greg Oden, who haven't lost to anybody since January. They won't lose in the opener to Central Connecticut State, although the first 10 minutes might be eye opening for the Buckeyes, who will already be thinking of their second-round game against BYU or Xavier.

Two wins get the Buckeyes to San Antonio, where they will face Tennessee, which should beat Long Beach State and one of the Cinderella teams -- America East champion Albany -- which might get to the second round by knocking off a Virginia team that has proven it can beat almost anyone and lose to almost anyone. But even if Virginia dodges an upset, Tennessee is too good.

And we think it will be another (Bruce) Pearl Jam moment in San Antonio as the Vols and their coach knock off the Buckeyes in the regional semifinals.

The other half of the bracket will be even more interesting. Louisville is playing in Lexington as the No. 6 seed, while Texas A&M is the No. 3 seed playing in playing in the lower seed's back yard. How does that work? Anyway, A&M will deal with it after it crushes Penn. The Aggies are more talented than Louisville and will win that one, despite the pro-Cardinal crowd.

The challenge for A&M will come in San Antonio.

Memphis is good and hungry. The Tigers won't have a problem with North Texas and should be able to get past Nevada, but Texas A&M is tall, talented, well-coached and playing a couple of hours from its campus. The Aggies are good enough to beat Ohio State or Tennessee.

MARK BLAUDSCHUN