KU is No. 2 seed in Midwest region, will face 15th-seeded Detroit at approximately 8:57 p.m. Friday

By Jesse Newell Mar 11, 2012

Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor smiles as teammate Conner Teahan responds to a question about superstitions during a news conference following the NCAA selection show. The Jayhawks, who claimed the 2 seed in the Midwest Regional will take on 15 seed Detroit in the round of 64 teams in Omaha, Neb.

The Kansas men’s basketball team has been selected as a No. 2 seed in the Midwest region and will face 15th-seeded Detroit at approximately 8:57 p.m. Friday on truTV.

North Carolina is the No. 1 seed in that region.

“I don’t think that Detroit is an easy first-round game,” KU coach Bill Self said Sunday. “I think when you think of 2 and 15s in the past, you certainly don’t see Detroit being on that line. They’re very capable.”

KU recruited Detroit’s best player, Ray McCallum Jr., who was a McDonald’s All-American in 2010.

“He is a good guard. I have been hearing a lot about him these last few years,” KU guard Tyshawn Taylor said. “He is tough, and I’m sure he is going to be aggressive since the team runs through him.”

McCallum plays for his father, Detroit coach Ray McCallum.

If the Jayhawks advance past Detroit, they’d play the winner of the 7-10 matchup between St. Mary’s and Purdue.

If KU advances to the Sweet 16, its next potential two games would be in St. Louis, Mo.

Here are the seeds for the Midwest region.