Midwest Regional Breakdown

Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com breaks down the Midwest Regional for the 2008 NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Overview

Kansas is going to have to prove it can win games in the halfcourt. The Jayhawks may meet UNLV in the second round and may have to get past either Georgetown or Wisconsin to get to the Final Four.

The Hoyas and Bo Ryan's Badgers would be a methodical matchup in the Sweet 16.

Everyone is going to talk about the Michael Beasley-O.J. Mayo matchup, but USC has a chance to go deep into this tournament if they can remain healthy.

I think this is the region that could provide the most entertainment in terms of upsets and quality games.

Breakdowns

East

South

West

Midwest

Best first-round matchup

No. 6 USC vs. No. 11 Kansas State — It's the battle between the two most highly touted freshmen — Trojans guard O.J. Mayo and National Player of the Year candidate Michael Beasley of K-State.

Best potential matchup

No. 7 Gonzaga vs. No. 2 Georgetown — This could be one of the best second-round matchups in the entire tournament. Don't be shocked if the Zags pull the upset over the Hoyas.

Upset special

No. 12 Villanova over No. 5 Clemson — If the Wildcats' guards are making shots, they can get past the Tigers.

Cinderella?

Cal State Fullerton — Bob Burton has some talent — including former Kent State transfer Scott Cutley.

My pick

Kansas — The Jayhawks are loaded with talent and should be able to walk through the first two rounds before a potential test with Clemson.

Storylines

The first-round battle between the two most over-hyped freshmen in the country — O.J. Mayo and Michael Beasley.

Wisconsin has a difficult road with a second-round matchup against the USC/Kansas State winner and then a potential meeting with Georgetown.

Can Kansas get to the Final Four this year with an abundance of talent?

Five Players to Watch

• Brandon Rush, Kansas
  
• Shan Foster, Vanderbilt
  
• O.J. Mayo, USC
  
• Michael Beasley, Kansas State
  
• Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga
  

Best player you've never heard of

Scott Cutley, Cal State Fullerton

Overrated

No. 3 Wisconsin

Underrated

No. 11 Kansas State

Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com. He can be reached at or check out his blog, Good 'N Plenty.