Kansas has the most talent in this region, which is why the Jayhawks are the No. 1 seed. But in the intensified world of the three-week NCAA Tournament, sometimes being the best is not enough. The Jayhawks look like they are going to be disappointed again in their quest for a Final Four berth and first NCAA title in 20 years.
The first- and second-round games in Omaha will be deceiving. Kansas should sprint past Portland State and into a 1-vs.-8 or 9 game against UNLV or Kent State. UNLV is coming off a solid win in the Mountain West tournament over BYU, but Kent State will be a tougher problem. Mid-American teams generally are fundamentally sound and Kent State is no exception. Bye-bye, Vegas.
Kansas is too talented to lose to Kent State. But Kansas fans still remember an opening-round loss to Bucknell a few years ago. Kent State is better than that, but not good enough to beat the Jayhawks. Once Kansas reaches Detroit, it will get tougher.
Clemson has proven how talented it can be. The Tigers should get past Villanova in the first round in Tampa, then deal with Vanderbilt or Siena. This looks like an upset in the making. Coach Fran McCaffery’s Siena team beat Stanford, which means it can beat the Stanford of the Southeast — Vanderbilt. Whether Siena can handle Clemson is questionable, but it will be interesting.
In the other half of the draw, Southern California will face Kansas State in a battle of freshman stars, USC’s O.J. Mayo and Kansas State’s Michael Beasley. Beasley is better, but so is USC. The winner will get Wisconsin, which will devour Cal State Fullerton and should put USC to sleep with its defense.
The bottom half of that draw brings this year’s true George Mason — Davidson. Davidson should beat Gonzaga in what will be a nice battle of schools from the ‘‘smaller’’ conferences with national reputations. And Davidson can beat Georgetown, which is good.
That sets up Davidson vs. Wisconsin in a big power vs. small power matchup. Again, Wisconsin will have its hands full, but the Badgers have a better defense.
Which brings us to Clemson vs. Kansas, which should be a major run, gun, and stun deal. Kansas prevails, but it will run into Wisconsin’s defensive toughness and lose in a regional final that might put people to sleep, with the score barely hitting the 50s for the winner.
UPSET SPECIALS: Davidson over Gonzaga; Siena over Vanderbilt; Davidson over Georgetown
MOVING TO DETROIT: Davidson, Wisconsin, Clemson, Kansas
REGIONAL CHAMP: Wisconsin
