Breakdown

Teams

* Favorites: No. 1 Memphis is older and wiser than the team UCLA defeated in the Elite Eight two years ago, holding the Tigers to 45 points. They have Derrick Rose, one of the nation’s top freshmen, plus Conference USA player of the year Chris Douglas-Roberts. No. 2 Texas has one of the best backcourts in the country with D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams, plus big man Connor Atchley, a bruiser with three-point shooting range. No. 4 Pittsburgh overcame an injury-marred season and upset Georgetown in the Big East Conference tournament title game.

* Cinderella search: Oregon got hot this time last season and made the Elite Eight, and the Ducks have most of that team back.

* No chance: Cornell. The No. 14 Big Red might be able to match No. 3 Stanford in brains, but its 7-foot reserve, Jeff Foote, is probably in for an education against 7-foot twins Robin and Brook Lopez.

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Games

* Must see: Kentucky isn’t used to being a first-round underdog as it will be against No. 6 Marquette, but the Wildcats aren’t used to being seeded 11th, either. They’ll be trying for an upset without their best player, 7-foot freshman Patrick Patterson, out because of a stress fracture in an ankle. He was the team’s second-leading scorer and leading rebounder.

Temple comes in hot after winning the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, and the Owls traditionally play a tough defense that can harass the best of teams into poor shooting. Coach Tom Izzo’s Michigan State teams always focus on defense and rebounding, so this won’t be a game for the faint of heart.

* Must skip: No. 1 Memphis is second in the nation with a 19.1 points average margin of victory and its opening game against No. 16 Texas Arlington isn’t likely to be nearly that close. Another first-round rout: Texas, if it’s paying attention, over Austin Peay.

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Players and numbers

Memphis’ Joey Dorsey, a 6-9, 265-pound junior, is among the most intimidating and unpredictable presences in the tournament. He is a strong shot blocker and staunch defender who gives the Tigers a physical nature to go along with the flashy athletic ability the rest of the cast has.

Mississippi State guard Ben Hansbrough is the younger and smaller (6-3) brother of North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough. He averages 10 points.

Oregon’s Maarty Leunen, a rugged, savvy and skilled forward, is one of UCLA Coach Ben Howland’s favorite Pacific 10 Conference players.

St. Mary’s didn’t beat a team with a winning record on the road this season, but the Gaels have freshman guard Patrick Mills, who had 37 points when St. Mary’s defeated Oregon.

Pittsburgh is led by 6-6 junior forward Sam Young, who averages 18.3 points and 6.4 rebounds.