Watch out for Anteaters this week

Look out Kansas State, Wisconsin, Oregon and any other team that gets in the way of Anteaters from California-Irvine!

The 30-4 Big West Conference champs bring a 16-game win streak and bracket nerd RLAB (Round Like A Basketball) Headley’s blessing as this year’s super darkhorse Cinderella sleeper entering NCAA tournament play.

Remember, Rancid Beef anointed Loyola of Chicago last year before the Ramblers delivered a miracle Final Four run.

He unleashed the Butler Bulldogs just days before they tore through Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State en route to a national title game in 2010.

“A common thread seems to be Kansas State . Loyola also took wild out of the Cats last year,” Rarely Brilliant remarked. “And my first-round upset special this year: No. 13 Cal Irvine over No. 4/Big 12 champ Kansas State.”

RB even believes Irvine will upset Wisconsin or Oregon to make the Sweet 16.

“How can I not like a team with Eaters as part of their name?” Rabid Buffet-fan Headley concluded.

The madness will spread from Irvine to Buffalo — New York not Wyoming — because RB believes those top 25 Buffalo Bulls have Final Four potential.

Here are some other opening R.B. analysis, usually his best thoughts because he hasn’t really thought about anything much:

Most overseeed teams

Kansas at a No. 4.

The Jayhawks just aren’t that good though they did beat Michigan State, Tennessee and Villanova before Christmas.

Christmas was a long time and two or three bad injuries ago.

Most dangerous team not talked about: No. 3 LSU in Duke’s regional.

The Tigers have everything from long, agile forwards to challenge Zion to speedy guards who can shoot lights out. Experience and leadership are probably all these Tigers are lacking.

They could go to Final Four or fall against Yale in the first round.

Other possible shockers:

No. 14 Northern Kentucky over No. 3 Texas Tech;

No. 12 Liberty over No. 5 Mississippi State;

No. 15 Colgate over No. 2 Tennessee;

No. 12 New Mexico State over No. 5 Auburn.

It will be no surprise:

If Belmont beats both Temple in the “First Four” and then Maryland two days later;

— Iowa State advances past Ohio State and Houston to the Sweet 16;

— No Big Ten teams make the Elite Eight.

Best sleeper Big Ten team?

Not many expect Purdue even as a No. 3 seed to advance far. The Boilers could push past Old Dominion, Villanova and sometimes sleepwalking Tennessee into an Elite Eight.

Will R.B.’s beloved Tar Heels win another title?

He’s been a Carolina Blue fan since 1982 when some freshman named Mike Jordan hit the title-winning shot against Georgetown.

However...

“Don’t think they will make it,” RB said. “But picks will come out later this week.”