NCAA regional games at Minneapolis. All Hawaii times.

MIDWEST REGION

No. 3 Kansas (25-7) vs. No. 14 North Dakota State (26-6)

Tipoff: 6:30 a.m.

Coaches: Bill Self (Kansas), Saul Phillips (North Dakota State).

Overview: Defending national champion Kansas opens against a sentimental favorite: North Dakota State is in the tournament in its first season of eligibility and is located about four hours away by car from Minneapolis.

Difference-makers: Kansas — G Sherron Collins (18.3 ppg., 5.0 apg, major player in Kansas' title run last year); C Cole Aldrich (14.6 ppg., 10.6 rpg., Big 12 co-defensive player of the year). North Dakota State — G Ben Woodside (22.8 ppg., 6.3 apg, sank game-winner in Summit tourney title game); F Brett Winkelman (18.7 ppg., 7.4 rpg.) has started 117 career games, as has Woodside).

Stattitude: The last time Kansas was a No. 3 seed, in 2005, the Jayhawks fell to Bucknell 64-63.

No. 6 West Virginia (23-11) vs. No. 11 Dayton (26-7)

Tipoff: approx. 8:50 a.m.

Coaches: Bob Huggins (West Virginia), Brian Gregory (Dayton).

Overview: West Virginia is getting better down the stretch, typical for a Huggins team. The Mountaineers knocked off Pittsburgh in the Big East quarterfinals and took Syracuse to overtime in the semifinals before losing. Dayton looks a little shaky in comparison, going 3-4 in its last seven.

Difference-makers: West Virginia — F Da'Sean Butler (17.3 ppg., 6 rpg, scored 43 against Villanova last month); G Alex Ruoff (15.9 ppg., 81.1 ft%, school-record holder with 260 career three-pointers). Dayton — F Chris Wright (12.9 ppg., 6.5 rpg., Flyers are 39-9 with him in lineup); G Marcus Johnson (12.2 ppg., 46.8 ft%).

Stattitude: West Virginia has reached the Sweet 16 in three of the last four years, including its first under Huggins last season.

No. 7 Boston College (22-11) vs. No. 10 Southern Cal (21-12)

Tipoff: 1:20 p.m.

Coaches: Al Skinner (Boston College), Tim Floyd (USC)

Overview: USC opponents average 63.5 points, but the Trojans need to lock down a BC team averaging 74.9 behind hot shot Tyrese Rice. USC has momentum on its side. The Pac-10 tournament champ finally has swagger after getting derailed earlier this season by injuries and some eligibility issues.

Difference-makers: Boston College — G Tyrese Rice (17.1 ppg., 5.4 apg.), 8-for-30 in last three games; F Joe Trapani (13.5 ppg., 6.6 rpg), transfer from Vermont assimilates; F Corey Raji (9.8 ppg., 6.1 rpg), bruiser brother B.J. is football star. USC -- F Taj Gibson (14.3 ppg., 9.4 rpg.), big-time shot blocker; F DeMar DeRozan (13.6 ppg., 5.7 rpg.), Pac-10 tourney MVP, G Dwight Lewis (14.1 ppg.), shot 30.8% in Pac-10 tourney.

Stattitude: BC is 1-10 when trailing with 5 minutes to go and 3-11 when down with 10 minutes left.

No. 2 Michigan State (26-6) vs. No. 15 Robert Morris (24-10)

Tipoff: approx. 3:40 p.m.

 Coaches: Tom Izzo (MSU), Mike Rice (Robert Morris)

Overview: Behind 6-10 center Goran Suton, MSU will have a size advantage against Robert Morris, making its first tourney appearance since 1992. The Spartans can thrive in up-tempo or slower-paced games.

Difference-makers: MSU — G Kalin Lucas (14.8 ppg., 4.4 apg), Big Ten player of the year; F Raymar Morgan (10.8 ppg., 55.2 fg%), finding rhythm after long bout with illness; G Chris Allen (9.0 ppg.), sixth man is three-point threat. Robert Morris — G Jeremy Chappell (16.9 ppg., 6.3 rpg., Northeast Conference player of the year); F Rob Robinson (11.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg).

Stattitude: Every four-year player recruited by Izzo has been in a Final Four. Last MSU appearance: 2005.