3 more chances to be wrong

THIRD ROUND

KANSAS (1) vs. University of Nevada, Las Vegas (8) _ The Jayhawks are so deep that teams such as UNLV will have to play a perfect game to stay close.

LOUISVILLE (4) vs. Richmond (12) _ The Cardinals have been on a roll for the past few weeks, and coach Rick Pitino’s pressure defense doesn’t slump.

PURDUE (3) vs. University of Southern California (11) _ It’s hard to imagine the Trojans can stop both JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore.

NOTRE DAME (2) vs. Texas A&M (7) _ The veteran Irish are tough to rattle and good enough to keep the game at the pace they want.

REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

KANSAS (1) vs. Louisville (4) _ Even in the Big East there aren’t many teams with the size the Jayhawks have and their guards are steady enough not to be bothered by the Cardinals’ pressure.

PURDUE (3) vs. Notre Dame (2) _ This all-Indiana matchup will be loaded with players who have been in a lot of big games, and Purdue’s have been a little more successful.

REGIONAL FINAL

KANSAS (1) vs. Purdue (3) _ The Jayhawks’ upset loss to Northern Iowa last season still stings, and a trip to the Final Four should help them finally get over it.

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL

SECOND ROUND

PITTSBURGH (1) vs. Arkansas-Little Rock (16) _ The Panthers never have trouble in the opening round.

BUTLER (8) vs. Old Dominion (9) _ The country is still smiling from the Bulldogs’ miracle run last season, and there should be one more feel-good win.

KANSAS STATE (5) vs. Utah State (12) _ A month ago it would have been easy to pick the Aggies. Now that Jacob Pullen is back to being Jacob Pullen, it’s easy to pick the Wildcats.

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