UNC vs. Kansas

       The talk of this game surely will focus on Roy Williams coaching against his former team for the first time, but it’s not as strong an issue as you might think. Yes, Williams coached at Kansas for 15 years, before returning to Chapel Hill in 2003. And yes, some lesser Jayhawk fans may hold a grudge against Ol’ Roy for leaving Lawrence without putting up a National Championship banner. However, the majority of KU fans can recognize and appreciate the allegiance Coach Williams had to the Jayhawk nation throughout his time spent there, while understanding that he simply could not turn down the alma mater a second time. In addition, the players wearing carolina blue will be the ones on the court that were recruited by Williams, not the players wearing royal blue.

       If you can look past the Williams intrigue, to the play on the court, it should be fun. As number one seeds, both teams were expected to get here, and anything less would have been considered a failure, probably more so than it would have for the other two number one’s. They combined for 71 wins to this point, with Carolina averaging 89 points per game, and Kansas averaging 81 points. While extremely explosive, the two teams are also both very balanced. Carolina has four players averaging double figures, led by Tyler Hansbrough’s 23 points per game, while Kansas has seven players averaging between 7 and 13 points per game. Finally, both have shown an ability to win against any style of play, but you can bet on this one turning into a track meet.

The Pick: UNC 86 - Kansas 79

Memphis vs. UCLA

       If you listen long enough to Coach John Calipari, you might be convinced that Memphis’ run to the Final Four was more surprising than George Mason’s Cinderella story two seasons ago. You also might be convinced that free throw shooting is not important in the game of basketball. While Calipari has to do this to keep the morale of his players high, as well as supply some motivation, don’t believe a word of it. The Tigers may not have been picked to win their games by every member of the media, but it is certainly no shocker that they managed to make it this far. Moreover, if they don’t get big leads, which they have been able to maintain the past two games, free throws will play a much bigger factor, and should in fact decide the game. Also, UCLA is not the type of team that gets blown out often.

       Unlike the UNC-Kansas game, this one features more of a contrast of styles. Memphis loves to run up and down the court, and has averaged 85 points per game so far in the tournament. On the other hand, UCLA has lived off of its defense, giving up only 53 points per game. Though the Bruins’ offense has struggled at times, their defense has been incredible, led by Kevin Love’s timely blocked shots and rebounds. For Memphis, it’s been all about the point guard play of Derrick Rose, who seems to have such a tremendous knowledge of the game, understanding when to pass, and when to take over. These two freshmen could very well by the deciding factors as to who plays for the National Title.

   The Pick: UCLA 61 - Memphis 59

-Nicholas King  / Photo: JD Lyon Jr. Courtesy UNC