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Remember How it Felt

Marcus Ginyard remembers how the North Carolina locker room felt last season, when a second-half collapse sent Georgetown to the Final Four and left the Tar Heels wondering what went so wrong.

The memories have stayed with North Carolina all season as it fought its way to the tournament's No. 1 overall seed. Now the Tar Heels are back in the round of eight. And just like last year, a tough and physical Big East team - this time Rick Pitino-led Louisville - stands between the Tar Heels and the Final Four.

MSU to Challenge Tigers

Everyone knows about the freshman guard who does everything. It's Derrick Rose of Memphis, and the biggest question about his NBA future isn't whether he'll go, but whether he'll have an NCAA championship in tow when he does.

But there's another good one in this South Regional. His name is Kalin Lucas, the penetrating point guard for Michigan State, who will be trying to stop Rose - or at least neutralize him - when the fifth-seeded Spartans meet top-seeded Memphis on Friday.

Relentless Defense

Stephen Curry went off for 70 points - 70 points! - in the first two games of the NCAA tournament. Against two of the stingiest defensive teams in the country, no less.

Big deal. That was sooo last weekend.

Instead of kicking back and savoring his accomplishment, Curry is prepping for the toughest test of all. To keep little Davidson's wonderful ride going, Curry is going to have to figure out a way around the Wisconsin Badgers and their relentless defense. First up Friday? Michael Flowers, who might just be playing the best defense in the country these days.

Texas-Sized Battle

At some point Friday night, perhaps as early as pregame layups, the chants will start.

``Texas!'' the burnt-orange throng on one side of the stadium will holler.

``Fight!'' the other side will answer.

Brook Lopez and his Stanford teammates will notice, of course - 25,000 people tend to make a lot of noise. And with their hands locked in the Hook 'em Horns gesture, their arms pivoting in unison, it'll be quite a sight, too.

KU Tackles Villanova

Scottie Reynolds might not be here today if a woman he has never met had made a different decision years ago.

Villanova's star guard reflected Thursday - a day before the 12th-seeded Wildcats played top-seeded Kansas in the Midwest Regional semifinals - on the pivotal choice his birth mother made 20 1/2 years ago in Alabama.