Midwest: Kansas accentuates the negative for positive results

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You're vulnerable, Kansas.

You're vulnerable because your coach knows you're vulnerable.

Freshmen Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo face off in the first round. (Getty Images)

Kansas is playing great but there is something about the Jayhawks that screams Bucknell and Bradley. Over the weekend, coach Bill Self reminded his top-seeded Jayhawks of the embarrassing first-round losses to the Bison (2005) and Braves (2006).

"I still mention Bucknell and Bradley," Self said, twitching head as if the upsets have given him a nervous tic.

"I don't bring it up as a negative. I bring it up as, 'This is the type of game you gotta win in the tournament.'"

There seem to be too many quality teams here to assume that the Jayhawks are going to roll. Either UNLV or Kent State is capable in a second-round matchup. A potential regional semi against Clemson isn't going to be easy. Wisconsin or Georgetown could loom in the regional final.

Three storylines

1. Kansas State's Michael Beasley vs. USC's O.J. Mayo: Some folks' top two freshmen coming into the season meet in the first round in Omaha. Plus, K-State's Bill Walker is a former high school teammate of Mayo.

2. No pressure on Clemson: Oliver Purnell has resurrected this program. The Tigers were playing for their first ACC tournament title in 46 years on Sunday. How hard can the NCAA tournament be?

3. Remember us? Everybody's talking about Kansas, but Georgetown won the regular season in the ultra-tough Big East, has a big-time post player (Roy Hibbert) and has won seven of its last eight. Oh yeah, the Hoyas are coming off a Final Four appearance.

Midwest Region picks

Who will win: Kansas. The Jayhawks beat USC by just four points on Dec. 2. Watch for a possible rematch in the regional final.

Dark-horse pick: USC. Daniel Hackett is healthy. Mayo is Mayo. Taj Gibson is still brawny. The Trojans have won at Pauley. Tim Floyd might be the best coach in this region.

Most likely upset: No. 13 Siena over No. 4 Vanderbilt. The Saints have beaten Stanford and commit the sixth-fewest turnovers of any team in the tournament. Three players average at least 15 points.

Best mascot: Bucky Badger. Shiny coat, playful, good hygiene. Loves to eat mice, slugs, insects and worms. Makes a great pet.