10:50 p.m.: A few thoughts on the men's bracket while we anxiously await the ladies' turn Monday:

1. For the alleged top No. 1 seed in the tourney, KU got treated like the fourth No. 1. Tough region. Ohio State. Georgetown. Michigan State.

The Syracuse Orange may complain about going west, but their competition — Syracuse, Vandy and Pitt — should make them feel tons better. The Jayhawks will have the crowd in St. Louis — and they'll need it.

2. Speaking of favorable draws, Duke got it in the South. Baylor will be a fashionable pick for a Final Four sleeper, and I expect the Bears to beat Villanova in Houston (How many Baylor basketball fans are there? We'll find out in Houston). But in the Elite Eight, let's just say Coach K vs. Scott Drew doesn't exactly lean toward the BU ledger. That's your basic mismatch. Baylor might make it to Indy, but nobody except a Carolina fan would pick it.

3. Kansas State will make the Elite Eight, but I don't see the Wildcats penetrating the Syracuse zone. That's a tough draw for Clemente's drives to the basket and the Wildcats crashing the boards.

4. Based on Missouri's No. 10 seed, it looks like Nebraska almost knocked the Tigers out of the tourney last week. Mizzou and Texas are my one-and-done picks out of the Big 12. Texas A&M maybe, too, vs. Utah State. Ouch.

5. Northern Iowa has Sweet 16 written all over it. Oops. The Mutton Chop boys would have to face Kansas in the second round? Nice season, lads.

Please pick up a home version of our game on the way out. Tough draw for UNI. Hmmm. But didn't KU lose to Bradley once upon a time? If anyone can handle Mr. Aldrich, it's the Mutton Chops. If UNI gets past Vegas, that second-round match will be must-see TV.

6. There are enough mid-majors playing to pick a George Mason type in the Final Four. Utah State? Cornell? Siena? New Mexico? I don't see it this time. The heavyweights look too good. Won't be an upset, but I am leaning toward Huggy Bear and the Mountain Men over Kentucky.

7. Speaking of the mid-major party this year, where was that sentiment last year for the boys in blue on 24th Street? The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee seems to change the criteria year to year. Then again, timing is everything. This year, with many BCS teams average or better, was a very good year to be a mid-major on the bubble.

8. Nebraska gets its name picked tonight, probably heading for the Minneapple next weekend. Expect the Huskers' road through Williams Arena to be soft; their second round vs. a No. 8 or 9 seed will be easier than anything they face in the Big 12. Expect Minnesota girl Cory Montgomery to pick the dinner spot, too.

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