The 2000 Final Four: Strangely familiar

David Den Herder

Double Down

Lost around these parts, with all the screaming headlines and helicopter cams, was the unique nature of this year's Final Four.

There was of course the fiction-like team, hand-picked by the tournament committee for national glory and high ratings. That was the big story of this tournament - it was supposed to be.

But the other Final Four contestants didn't quite mesh with standard tournament procedure.

Most noticeable was Wisconsin. The experts had been squawking all season about the likelihood of two Big Ten teams making it to Indianapolis, but the thought of Bennett Ball in the Final Four was bordering on ludicrous.

Florida was a talented but young group that, despite a great SEC season, looked destined for failure in the NCAAs, facing Illinois, No. 1 Duke and Oklahoma State all in early rounds.

Even so, it is North Carolina's twisted tale that should spark the most intrigue and conversation while lounging on the Diag grass these last few weeks of school.

Because their saga, friends, is one that hits home.

Nevermind the bizarre kinship North Carolina and Michigan may have as two of the original Nike schools.

Forget about the fact that our new jersey designs are virtually identical, part of an elite college hoops clique distinguished by logo alone.

The scenario is the tie that binds.

As the 1999-2000 season opened, the Tar Heels were widely regarded as a crew to beat. They were led by an experienced Final Four coach and a talented NBA prospect in Ed Coda.

Brendan Haywood gave them might in the middle, while a sweet young shooter (Joseph Forte) and another sizable swingman (Jason Chapel) shored up the Carolina lineup.

The season started out well. Except for understandable losses to Michigan State and Cincinnati, it seemed time for another great run in Chapel Hill. But when the ACC schedule showed up, the Tar Heels disappeared.

Dropping four straight in January, they finished the ACC season with a 9-7 mark - 18-13 overall - and found themselves on the NCAA bubble.

Now stop for just a minute, and travel with me back in time.

Dateline Ann Arbor, four years in the past.

As the 1996-97 season opened, the Wolverines were widely regarded as a crew to beat. They were led by an experienced Final Four coach and a talented NBA prospect in Maurice Taylor.

Robert Traylor gave them might in the middle, while a sweet young shooter (Louis Bullock) and another sizable swingman (Maceo Baston) shored up the Michigan lineup.

The season started out well. Except for a one-point loss to Memphis, it seemed time for another great run in Ann Arbor. But when the Big Ten schedule showed up, the Wolverines disappeared.

Dropping five straight in late February and early March, they finished the Big Ten season with a 9-9 mark - 19-11 overall - and found themselves on the NCAA bubble.

Hmm.

It's too bad the similarities stop there. While both teams seemed to bring their 'A' game only to nationally televised events, one got the chance to make a run at the Final Four. The other had to settle for the bittersweet distinction of NIT champions.

Yes, Michigan probably should have been selected for the Tournament in 1997. And no, Carolina probably should not have been this year.

But should'ves and could'ves define college athletics. Even in this grand and pure basketball tournament, where 63 seemingly fair games are played until one seemingly undisputed champion is crowned, there is plenty of room for controversy.

Because in the end, who decides a team's worthiness?

In the end, subjectivity rules the day.

I know that in the coming years there will be a real push for a college football playoff - the only major college sport left without one.

"Let's get rid of all these ambiguous bowls and polls," the experts will say. "Playoffs are the only fair way. Look at March Madness."

I hope those experts will remember the 1997 Michigan basketball team before they ruin my New Year's Day.

Sure, Steve Fisher could have been a four-time Final Four coach. And Bill Guthridge could only have been a one-time Final Four coach. We'll never know.

College sports aren't fair.

And there's probably nothing wrong with that.

- David Den Herder can be reached at dden@umich.edu.

AP PHOTO, FILE PHOTO

The Tar Heels celebrate another win on the road to their 2000 Final Four berth. Maurice Taylor, Travis Conlan and Jerod Ward would only be so lucky.