Tell Asmussen what he's missing here

Bob Asmussen's Midwest Region breakdown

Team to beat: Kansas

Did you see the Jayhawks during the tournament selection show? They looked like they had already won it. They aren't just the team to beat in the Midwest, they are the team to beat, period. Kansas toys with teams. They let them hang close for a while, then start playing at a different level. They've showed again and again that they don't panic. During the Big 12 title game, Kansas State would make a run and appear to be in a position to take the game. Then, somebody would make a big play. Two advantages Kansas has over every other team in the tournament: coaching and balance. There isn't anybody better than Bill Self. The former Illinois coach is a master motivator and a superior recruiter. Because he has already won a title, he is also extremely relaxed. Four Jayhawks average in double figures, led by Sherron Collins. Xavier Henry is among the best freshmen in the country. Cole Aldrich can dominate inside. We can't tell the Morris brothers apart, but they are both good. Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar would be stars at many other schools.

Team in trouble: Tennessee

Not sure what the selection committee was thinking with the Volunteers. What did Tennessee do that dropped it to a No. 6? Remember, it is one of two teams to beat Kansas. And it beat Kentucky by nine points late in the season. The Volunteers were blown out by Kentucky in the SEC tournament. Their punishment is a difficult opener against streaking San Diego State. Win that – and it won't be easy – and Tennessee plays Georgetown. The Hoyas were one missed layup away from winning the Big East title. Tennessee has had its share of off-the-court issues. And Bruce Pearl isn't the most popular guy in the game.

Dark horse: Michigan State

Don't know if you remember this or not, but a year ago the Spartans played for the national title. And had it been any team but North Carolina on the other side, the Spartans would have won it. Tom Izzo's guys won't be happy about the seeding (5, too low) or the site (Spokane, Wash., too far). But Izzo showed last year that he can get his guys motivated. And the road isn't that difficult until the third round. New Mexico State needed to win its conference tournament to get in and likely second-round opponent Maryland is overseeded at No. 4. Of course, the third round will be in St. Louis against Kansas. Last time they met in the tournament, the Spartans bounced the Jayhawks. That was a year ago.

Sentimental favorite: Houston

Not so much the team as its 64-year-old coach Tom Penders. The college basketball nomad is in the tournament with a fourth school (Rhode Island, Texas and George Washington). This year's trip wasn't supposed to happen. But the Cougars beat four teams in four days at the Conference USA tournament, including a stunner in the finale against UTEP. When Illinois fans want to look for where their bid went, start in Houston. Of course, the Cougars have skill. Not Phi Slama Jama skill. But good enough. Aubrey Coleman leads the nation in scoring. That's a good start.

Best first-round matchup: UNLV vs. Northern Iowa

We like to think of Ben Jacobson as a young Lon Kruger. Neither team will wow you with its offense or the speed at which it plays. Expect a grinder that goes down to the closing minutes. Kruger is usually pretty good in the first round, while the Panthers are looking for their second tournament win.

Worst first-round matchup: Ohio State vs. UCSB

Sorry, Gauchos, but you picked a bad time to play the Buckeyes. Ohio State survived a scare against Illinois in the Big Ten semifinals, then tore apart Minnesota in the tournament finale. As long as Evan Turner manages to make it to the Bradley Center, Ohio State wins in a rout.

Local connection: Brian Carlwell, San Diego St.

Former Illini is giving Steve Fisher valuable minutes, averaging 4.8 points and 2.7 rebounds for the Mountain West tournament champions. Critically injured in a car accident while with the Illini, it appeared his career might be over. Rejuvenated in San Diego, the center is hitting 62 percent of his shots.

National reaction

n "You've got to shift your mind to, 'OK, we've got Santa Barbara. Where do we go from there?' I don't think there's any easy way. I just hope we're playing our best basketball right now as we move forward." – Ohio State coach Thad Matta on the short turnaround.

n "You would think if we had a chance to play any of those teams, it could mean two things. Either the other team will be confident or it could mean that we would be angry. But we're not going that far. We've got to win a two-game tournament. You win a two-game tournament, the next two games obviously will be against quality opponents." – Kansas coach Self on being in the same regional as Tennessee and Oklahoma State, the only teams to beat the Jayhawks this season.

n "What we found out last year was that the way in which we played a year ago was certainly good enough. It's just that we didn't start playing that way until the second half. Our guys really learned a lot about that, so they've been focused." – Northern Iowa coach BEN JACOBSON about a 2009 tournament loss to Purdue.

n "We were definitely more relaxed this year. Last year, we were all jumping up and down because we didn't know where we'd be or if we'd get in." – Maryland senior guard ERIC HAYES.