Final Four — North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA
Tar Heels

2007-08 Record: 36–2 (14–2 ACC)

Head Coach: Roy Williams (6th Final Four)

The UNC alum and former Dean Smith assistant is making his sixth trip to the Final Four as a head coach. As the coach of Kansas from 1988-2003, Williams took the Jayhawks to four Final Fours, including two national title game losses. Since taking over at Carolina in 2003, this is Williams second trip to the Final Four, having won it all in 2005.

Star: Tyler Hansbrough, Junior, Forward

“Psycho T” played like a mad man against Louisville in the Elite Eight, with 28 points and 13 rebounds during an 83–73 victory. But it was Hansbrough’s big shot making down the stretch — from just inside the 3-point line — that was most impressive. After being eliminated by Georgetown last year and George Mason in 2006, this is the first trip to the Final Four for Hansbrough, who is averaging 21.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in the tournament this year.

Co-Stars: Ty Lawson, Sophomore, Guard; Wayne Ellington, Sophomore, Guard

Hansbrough’s value is obvious, since the junior big man is a legitimate National Player of the Year candidate. But Lawson may be more important, since Coach Williams has no reliable back-up at point guard. In order for the Tar Heels to win the national title, Lawson must continue to protect the ball and push the tempo. Lawson has 20 assists and only six turnovers in the tournament. Meanwhile, Ellington, who is averaging a steady 15.5 points per game, must make defenses pay the price for double-teaming Hansbrough by knocking down open shots.

Supporting Cast: Deon Thompson, Soph., Forward; Marcus Ginyard, Junior, Guard

Thompson has become more of an inside force alongside Hansbrough, while Ginyard is Carolina’s top defender on the wing. Both players are solid rebounders with the ability to finish around the rim and make the occasional mid-range jumper.

Bench: Danny Green, Junior, Forward; Alex Stepheson, Sophomore, Forward

Green is the Tar Heels’ sixth man spark off the bench and is more likely to go on a scoring spree than either Thompson or Ginyard. With versatility and energy, Green provides a lift to the starting unit when he enters the game. Stepheson sees limited action but can be called on for more minutes at any time depending on foul trouble.

Road to San Antonio: Raleigh, N.C., to Charlotte, N.C.

First Round – (16) Mount St. Mary’s (113–74)
Second Round – (9) Arkansas (108–77)
Sweet 16 – (4) Washington State (68–47)
Elite Eight – (3) Louisville (83–73)

Quote:

“When I was at Kansas and we played North Carolina in the Final Four in ’91 and ’93, I said I hated it. … I have no idea what my emotions will be. I’m just ecstatic for this club right now to be going to San Antonio.”

— Roy Williams, who will be coaching against Kansas for the first time since leaving KU to take over as head coach of UNC.