Just one weekend of college basketball remains before a champion is crowned. If you don't have a dog left in the fight, here's a few quick reasons why it might be fun to see each of the Final Four teams win a title.
North Carolina
Yeah, I can't help you with this one. Unless you're a Carolina fan or just like rooting for the favorites, the Heels winning would be a lot like the Patriots winning Super Bowl.
Roy Williams is looking to collect title number three, which would tie him with Jim Calhoun and Bobby Knight for fourth most all-time. Adolph Rupp has four titles to his credit, and Coach K owns five.
Nobody is ever touching John Wooden, with ten championships.
Carolina rebounds the ball better than anyone else in the field, but isn't the most gifted shooting team. The injury status of PG Joel Barry is also a story to watch. If he can't go, UNC has major issues at the point.
Gonzaga
If Mark Few and the Zags cut down the nets, they'd be the first "mid major" program to win the title in a generation. I use quotes because despite playing in a true mid-major league, the Zags have established themselves as a perennial national power.
Speaking of Few, a title would cement his status as one of the truly elite coaches in the college game. Given what's he's built at Gonzaga and the amazing consistency he's achieved, Few should already be on everyone's top ten list, but a win would propel him even higher.
Gonzaga will have to rely on their balance if they're to have a shot. They rank in the top ten in both adjusted offense and defense this year, and have the best depth of any team left in the field.
South Carolina
What's not to love about Frank Martin's program? In fact, what's not to love about Frank Martin the coach?
Despite being an intense competitor, and giving off an overall intense vibe, Martin has turned one of the trash programs in the SEC into a Final Four team with his fingerprints all over it. He's also generally thought of as one of the best guys in college hoops.
If the Gamecocks win it all as a 7-seed, they'd match UConn (2014) as the lowest seed to capture the championship since Villanova won it as an 8-seed in 1985.
South Carolina's chances rest mainly on their new-found offense, and the overall play of Sindarious Thornwell, who's been out of this world in March.
The Gamecocks are an elite defensive team, but have been above their season averages offensively during the tournament. If that keeps up, they'll have a shot.
Oregon
For those in Omaha, this is an easy one: Dana Altman.
The former Creighton coach left under good terms, and Creighton hasn't experienced a drop-off since he left. In fact, both Altman and the Jays have reached new heights since he departed Omaha.
That's a pretty unusual situation for a coach that now has his team poised to win a national title.
The 1-2-3 punch of Tyler Dorsey, Jordan Bell, and Dillon Brooks make the Ducks as dangerous as any team left in the field. Oregon changes defenses (a lot) and keeps teams on their heels.
If the Ducks can get past Carolina in the national semifinal, they'll be my pick to win it all.
