No. 6 USC vs. No. 3 Kansas from West Region. I would have certainly been all over the Trojans if KU freshman Jalen Wilson didn't rejoin the team from COVID protocols just this morning, and he'll be good to go. What kind of game shape he might be in is a good question. USC super-freshman Evan Mobley is going to be tough to stop and the Pac-12 has looked unbelievable in this tournament, but I'm going to back KU simply because the Trojans are one of the worst free-throw shooting teams in the country. They hit just 64.7 percent and have one player above 70 percent. USC is just 2-5 ATS in its past seven, while Kansas is 7-2-1 ATS in its past 10.

The Jayhawks had some early struggles, but still endured the pandemic season much more efficiently than fellow blue bloods such as Kentucky, Duke and North Carolina. In fact. all eight of their losses came against NCAA Tournament teams. Following a super shaky first half that resulted in an eight-point deficit against Eastern Washington, Kansas came alive and played one of its best stretches in the season in the second half. David McCormack has the size to help subdue USC's front court, and veterans such as Marcus Garrett and Ochai Agbaji give the Jayhawks an edge in big-time experience.