March 18, 2008
No. 16 Portland St (23-9) at No. 1 Kansas (31-3)
OMAHA, Nebraska (Ticker) - Even though a No. 1 seed never has lost to a No. 16 in NCAA Tournament play, Kansas is not about to take any opponent lightly.
The top-seeded Jayhawks should not be tested much when they open NCAA Tournament first-round play against Portland State on Thursday in the Midwest Regional.
Kansas is a 22 1/2-point favorite and the 'total' is hovering around 146.
Of course, that was the prevailing sentiment for Kansas (31-3) entering the NCAAs in both 2005 and 2006, and the Jayhawks absorbed stunning first-round ousters against Bradley and Bucknell, respectively.
Could it happen again to Kansas? Not likely, and not because the school is 7-0 all-time vs. No. 16 seeds in the NCAAs.
The Jayhawks pretty much erased the memories of those stinging first-round defeats a year ago, advancing to the regional final as a top seed before falling to UCLA, 68-55.
The bulk of that team returns, led by Brandon Rush, the Most Outstanding Player of the Big 12 Conference tournament, and emerging sophomore forward Darrell Arthur.
Arthur and wide body Darnell Jackson combine for nearly 25 points and 13 rebounds per game, giving Kansas a huge edge inside over the Vikings (23-9), the champions of the Big Sky Conference.
Rush and fellow swingman Mario Chalmers are dangerous perimeter threats while Sherron Collins and Russell Robinson both see time at point guard.
Portland State relies on 5-6 guard Jeremiah Dominguez, the Big Sky Player of the Year who leads the team in scoring (14.3 ppg), steals and assists.
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