Last Dance

Tonight, at the Superdome in New Orleans, the tournament's Last Dance will play out. The North Carolina Tar Heels (29-9), a No. 8 seed, are facing the Kansas Jayhawks (33-6), a No. 1 seed. Sportswriters are calling them, "blue bloods," because down through the years at both schools their predecessors have played in multiple Final Fours. Both well-funded programs have won national championships: Kansas 3, Carolina 6.

The Jayhawks probably have the guy who seems to be the best player -- AP First Team All-American Ochai Agbaji. But that evaluation is based on a season of great performances. This game for the title is just one 40-minute ordeal. Nobody knows who will emerge as the best player in tonight's tilt. However, at this writing, the betting line has Kansas as a 4-point favorite. 

While UNC is being seen as the underdog, that perception is based in great part on the season-long records of the two finalists. The Tar Heels have won 10 of their last 11 games. So have the Jayhawks. So both teams have gotten hot at the right time of year. If there's a difference that might matter in the game's most important possessions, maybe UNC has dealt with more drama in their tournament games than Kansas has. 

The wildcard could be whether the Heels' center, Armando Bacot (from Richmond), can be at his best. He injured an ankle late in the game with Duke on Saturday. It looked bad enough that there's no telling how long, or well, he can perform. His rebounding has been a key to Carolina's success lately. 

Kansas deserves to be the favorite. Plus, UNC may be emotionally exhausted after their epic win over Duke. Or, such a big victory over their biggest rival could magnify their confidence. 

Bottom line: For some reason, I think the mojo factor that has gotten the Heels this far will carry them past the Jayhawks. Or maybe that's just what I hope to see.

-- 30 --