An interesting thing happened this year. In fact, it was the only time in history this has happened. All of the Final Four finalists (say that five times fast) are #1 seeds. They are all perennial powerhouses as well. The field consists of the North Carolina Tar Heels, the Kansas Jay Hawks, the Memphis Tigers, and the UCLA Bruins.

It should make for an interesting tournament as each team is loaded with talent. The Tar Heels have Tyler Hansbrough, arguably the best junior forward in the nation, Wayne Ellington, sharp shooter Danny Green controlling the perimeter and a bench loaded with super reserves.

Also there is the element to consider that Hansbrough is the leader of this team and he is intense and has his heart set on winning a title. He desperately wants to get a national title. It has occupied his mind since he stepped foot on campus three years ago. Hansbrough was decidedly muted in his celebration Saturday night. He said there was more work to do.


The Tar Heels have made it to the most Final Four's of any team and have a proven track record under head coach Roy Williams (they won the whole thing back in 2005).

They will face the Jay Hawks of Kansas in the semi-final game. As most of you already know, this is Carolina coach Roy Williams' old team, whom he coached for 19 strong years. It was here that Williams made his campaign for most winning coach in college basketball. The Jay Hawks have future NBA stars Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, and a couple post men rounding out their line-up.

The Memphis Tigers will face UCLA in what looks to be the more competitive of the semi-final games. The Tigers are DEEP! They also boast only losing one game this year. Coach John Calipari plays almost every player each game, which allows for the starters to rest. The Tigers are loaded with freshman guard Derrick Rose (will probably be drafted in the top five in the 2008 NBA Draft), Chris Douglas-Roberts, Robert Dozier, and Joey Dorsey – a sheer powerhouse forward.


However, UCLA has been tested time and time again this year and know what it's like to overcome the odds. They have power freshman Kevin Love, from Lake Oswego, Oregon. *Interesting little fact is that Love's uncle was a member of The Beach Boys. Darren Collison and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (say that one five times fast!) round out their line-up.

This game could be close though. Love has transformed the Bruins from a predictable offensive team into one that could rely on an anchor in the post. Love also gave UCLA the most talented big-man passer in the post, from midcourt and from an inbounds underneath the opponent's basket.

But Memphis is extremely driven and serious. The Tigers have matured on the court, become much more disciplined with their shot selection and seem to be just as driven as Calipari to win the title. Either way, I think the rest of the ride will be interesting as all of the seeds are #1's. They should make for competitive and fun games to watch. 



Dan Olson writes for KSTW-TV in Seattle. All opinions expressed in this column are his.