OKLAHOMA CITY — When Bucknell coach Pat Flannery arrived in Oklahoma City, he could hardly contain himself.

His team was playing in its first NCAA Tournament since 1989, and the locals were greeting him with open arms.

“We’re just trying to take it all in,” Flannery said. “We’re trying to do and see as much as we can. If you’ve got a tour going somewhere let us know, because we’ll take it with you.”

Flannery has good reason to be excited. The Bison finished off a breakthrough year, in which they defeated Pittsburgh on the road and won the Patriot League Tournament.

His team was rewarded for its efforts with a No. 14 seed and the opportunity to pull off the upset of third-seeded Kansas.

“The mood of our team hasn’t changed since we won the Patriot League Tournament,” Bucknell junior guard Charles Lee said. “We’re still on cloud nine, and just enjoying the moment.”

All that joy seemed to end yesterday afternoon during the Jayhawks’ shoot around, though. Flannery said he sent his assistant coaches to watch Kansas, while he ate ribs at a nearby restaurant.

When the coaches returned they had grim looks on their faces.

“Coach,” one of them said. “That Simien kid is pretty big.”

Kansas senior forward Wayne Simien has caused problems for just about every opponent Kansas has played this season. He averages a double-double, and Flannery said containing Simien would be a key to his team’s success.

“He’s certainly going to be a challenge,” Flannery said. “We’re going to try to keep him off balance, but he’s going to get his. He’s proved that all year long.”

Bucknell players agreed with Flannery, but said Simien would only be a part of their concerns defensively.

“Defensively, we’re going to have our hands full,” Lee said. “Simien is a presence down low, but we need to keep their other players in front of us. When their guards start penetrating the lane, they are real tough to stop.”

The Bison have played stellar defense all year long. In the Patriot League Tournament they held two teams to less than 40 points and controlled the offensive pace by slowing the game down.

Bucknell has a balanced scoring attack, with three players averaging more than 10 points a game. The half-court offense is built around getting the ball inside to senior forward Chris McNaughton, 12.2 points per game, but when the Bison get the chance to run, they take it.

Junior guard Kevin Bettencourt, 12.7 points per game, and Lee, 12.5 points per game, are both solid ball handlers and shooters. Each of them play more than 30 minutes a game.

After studying tape all week, Kansas coach Bill Self has learned just how good they are.

“Anyone who has studied Bucknell knows this will be a difficult game,” Self said. “They control the tempo of the game and defend really well.”

Flannery said he was still amazed with how great being in the NCAA Tournament felt, but he was confident that his team would approach tonight’s game just like any other.

“We’re going to do everything possible to play Kansas tough,” he said. “My players know it’s all about tipping off at 8:40.”