FanNation - The Republic of Sport

   That's right, guys. I know you dream about this when you're hunkered down in that Indianapolis hotel in the days leading to Selection Sunday. You want those top four teams to come through the regionals and give you the Final Four you forecast.

   Gentlemen, I salute you. Hopefully, you are all sitting pretty in lucrative office pools (I only have half a Final Four - thank you, Wisconsin and Texas). For the first time since seeding began in 1979, you've got the four baddest of college basketball's badarses hooked up for the NCAA's crown jewel.

   For all the talk about upsets, buzzer-beaters and the love for little Davidson College, the four teams who proved themselves the best over the course of the 2007-08 season are going to San Antonio.

   (So how do you decide who wears which color jerseys?)

   NORTH CAROLINA: Never seriously threatened. Probably the money pick of the four. The Heels finally got a decent test last night from Louisville, but after the Cards rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to tie it, they had nothing left. Ty Lawson was simply boss, and as for Tyler Hansbrough...those who suggest he is overhyped because he happens to be Caucasian may help themselves to the keg of STFU on my porch. I am dying to see a UNC-UCLA final - would there be a better climax to this tournament than Psycho-T going up against Kevin Love?

   UCLA: They play mad D. They explode. The Russell Westbrook steal-basket-missed free throw-Love rebound and dish to Darren Collison for three sequence that put away Xavier summed up the tripod of quickness, power and shooting the Bruins rode to the top. They had to sweat a bit more than the Heels, but the potent combination of studs and role players brought it when they needed it. They're still my pick to win it all,

   MEMPHIS: I guess the foul shooting didn't matter this weekend. After getting scared straight by Mississippi State, the Tigers rolled Michigan State and Texas like drunks stumbling out of an ATM in the wee small hours. Derrick Rose didn't mind shedding a little blood to keep this juggernaut moving, Chris Douglas-Roberts supplied the offense and Joey Dorsey the muscle and experience. Nobody's calling Conference USA a bunch of lightweights anymore.

   KANSAS: Somebody finally figured out how to stop Stephen Curry (yes, Young Obama got his 25 points, but needed 25 field goal tries and was held to 2-for-11 shooting in the second half). I loved the coaching on both sides on the final play - Bob McKillop decided to go out with his boots on letting Curry bring up the ball, and Bill Self made the right call keeping the double team on him, forcing a dump to Jason Richards, who unfortunately, concluded an outstanding tournament by chucking a brick. What McKillop calls "The Beautiful Game" almost prevailed before the Jayhawks finally pounded the ball inside. I look forward to shouting "Sasha Kaun! Sasha Kaun!" at my TV next Saturday night. (BTW: Hey, Providence College AD Bob Driscoll, I sure hope your not having twitched on seeking a new coach means you've been waiting for McKillop to become available for an interview).

   There's a casino buffet (or Venus de Milo buffet, if you're near Swansea, Mass.) of hoops being served at 6 Saturday night. I'm fasting all day in preparation for this one.