The Kansas Jayhawks are back in the Final Four for the first time since winning it all in 2008, and even though the road to New Orleans was a bit rocky, Sunday's victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels should silence whatever doubters of Bill Self remained after a few disappointing showings in previous tournaments. Over at Rock Chalk Talk, SB Nation's Jayhawks blog, Kansas fans are celebrating with video of Kansas fans welcoming the team back to Allen Fieldhouse as well as some footage of Jayhawks fans in St. Louis.
For North Carolina, coaches, players and fans are mostly left pondering that eternal question: "what if?" What if Kendall Marshall, the engine of the Tar Heels' offense, hadn't broken his wrist prior to the Elite Eight? North Carolina, a team whose roster features arguably seven eventual first round draft picks, may have been the most talented team in the tournament, but they will always remember the 2012 NCAA Tournament for what may have been.
At Carolina March, SB Nation's Tar Heels blog, blogger T.H. is somber (who wouldn't be?) but admits that things did not just fall into place for this year's UNC team:
The speculation of who's going and staying can wait. This was a great team subjected to a bad season, and I'm more than happy to enjoy what they accomplished for a little while.
The Tar Heels may once again be a title favorite in 2013 if NBA Draft declarations shake out in their favor, or they may be forced to reload with young, albeit surely talented, recruits.
For more on all things March Madness, be sure to check out SB Nation's 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament hub.
The Kansas Jayhawks are back in the Final Four for the first time since winning it all in 2008, and even though the road to New Orleans was a bit rocky, Sunday's victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels should silence whatever doubters of Bill Self remained after a few disappointing showings in previous tournaments. Over at Rock Chalk Talk, SB Nation's Jayhawks blog, Kansas fans are celebrating with video of Kansas fans welcoming the team back to Allen Fieldhouse as well as some footage of Jayhawks fans in St. Louis.
For North Carolina, coaches, players and fans are mostly left pondering that eternal question: "what if?" What if Kendall Marshall, the engine of the Tar Heels' offense, hadn't broken his wrist prior to the Elite Eight? North Carolina, a team whose roster features arguably seven eventual first round draft picks, may have been the most talented team in the tournament, but they will always remember the 2012 NCAA Tournament for what may have been.
At Carolina March, SB Nation's Tar Heels blog, blogger T.H. is somber (who wouldn't be?) but admits that things did not just fall into place for this year's UNC team:
The Tar Heels may once again be a title favorite in 2013 if NBA Draft declarations shake out in their favor, or they may be forced to reload with young, albeit surely talented, recruits.
For more on all things March Madness, be sure to check out SB Nation's 2012 NCAA Basketball Tournament hub.