Vegas not ruling out No. 16 win

Maybe someday it will happen, but since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, a No. 16 seed has never beaten a No. 1.

This year, Vegas thinks there could be a close call — or closer than usual, at least.

As of Monday, topseeded Kansas was only a 14-point favorite over 16-seeded Penn after opening at -15½.

According to bookmaker.eu, the last No. 1 seed to have a smaller f irst-round spread was Memphis versus Oral Roberts in 2006. The Tigers were 10½-point favorites and won 94-78.

Dating back to 1996, only four No. 1 seeds were fewer than 16point favorites: North Carolina (-15½ vs. Vermont in 2012), Syracuse (-15½ vs. UNC Asheville in 2012), Syracuse (-15½ vs. Vermont in 2010) and Memphis in 2006.

The top-overall seed, Virginia, is a 22½-point favorite — fellow No. 1s Xavier and Villanova await their opponents — while No. 2 seeds North Carolina (-19½), Duke (-20) and Purdue (-20½) are all heavier favorites. The fourth No. 2 seed, Cincinnati, is also a 14-point favorite.

What’s the catch with the Jayhawks?

The Big 12 champs have been ranked all year, never lower than 14th, but could have an interesting matchup with the Quakers in a clash of strengths.

The Ivy League champs have held opponents to 29.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc, good for second lowest in the country.

That’s where Kansas has made its mark this year, shooting 40.3 percent from downtown (13th in the country).