Obama plays it safe, picks Kansas in NCAAs

Kansas is the No. 1 seed overall and the top seed in the Midwest region.
In an interview aired on ESPN Wednesday, Obama said his Final Four picks were Kansas, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky and Villanova University, with Kansas and Kentucky playing for the national championship, USA Today reported.

Obama, who enjoys shooting hoops with aides on weekends, last year picked North Carolina, which won't be defending its title this year. The Tarheels are participating in the NIT.

Why he chose the Jayhawks is a subject of discussion, USA Today reported. His mom hailed from Kansas and he still has relatives in the Sunflower State. Then, of course, his health and human services secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, was the governor of Kansas.

First lady Michelle Obama also has basketball pedigree: Her brother, Craig Robinson, coaches at Oregon State University, which is defending its 2009 College Basketball Invitational title.

Copyright 2010 United Press International