ATLANTA -There is no broadband-faster team than Kansas; no more tested and tortured team than Maryland; no Kevlar-tougher team than Oklahoma; no sweeter string-music shooting team than Indiana.
In college basketball’s version of Survivor, these four found a way to the Georgia Dome. They got off their regional island and now stand two wins away from the grand prize: the NCAA championship.
“It’s a humbling experience,” said Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson. “It’s a tremendous accomplishment. It’s something that you treasure.”
Humbling? Tremendous? Consider some of the other 61 teams in this field that didn’t make it here.
Duke and Cincinnati, two No. 1 seeds, couldn’t even make it to their regional final. Gonzaga, the darling of recent NCAA Tournaments, couldn’t make it out of the first round. Three Big East teams – Boston College, Miami and St. John’s – couldn’t win a game.
Tonight, Indiana (24-11) or Oklahoma (31-4) will claim one spot in the championship game. Kansas (33-3) or Maryland (30-4) will claim the other spot in a soap opera finale featuring two tormented coaches named Williams.
In order to watch film of Kansas, Maryland must program the VCR for slow motion. The Jayhawks, America’s NCAA Tournament underachievers, averaged 91 points this season and were at their best in a 104-86 triumph over Oregon to win the Midwest Regional.
“That was a track meet,” said Kansas star Drew Gooden. “That was an up-and-down game. We can run with the best of them.”
Maryland can run, but the Terps would be wise to use their size, depth, experience and will against Kansas. Maryland is the only team to return to the Final Four from last season.
There are three starting seniors – Juan Dixon, Lonny Baxter and Byron Mouton – who blew a 22-point first-half lead against Duke in last year’s semifinal. Dixon lost his parents to AIDS in high school and Mouton had a brother shot and killed this year.
From death to Duke, so much pain.
“That game, I mean, it just stays with you,” said Maryland coach Gary Williams. “You can always replay a game and see what you could have done better as a coach. Obviously, I was disappointed at the way things went in that game from a couple of different angles. You have to live with it.”
The Williams coaches have lived with the sting of criticism. Gary Williams couldn’t get a team past the Sweet 16. Roy Williams of Kansas has guided the Jayhawks to three Final Fours but no national championship.
“How much do I want to win it?” said Roy Williams. “As much as I want to breathe.”
“Personally, I’d rather keep breathing,” said Gary Williams.
Indiana, with second-year coach Mike Davis, who replaced Bobby Knight, wouldn’t quit against Duke and wouldn’t miss against Kent State. The Hoosiers knocked down 15-of-19 3’s against the Golden Flashes.
“Some teams don’t shoot 15-of-19 from the free throw line,” said Oklahoma guard Hollis Price. “That’s amazing to see something like that.”
It’s almost as amazing as the defensive tenacity with which Oklahoma plays. The Sooners have been molded by Sampson, whose father John had brain surgery less than two weeks ago, into a team that leaves broken bodies and shattered souls on the court.
“They’re probably a better defensive team than Michigan State was,” said Davis. “It’s a tough team. Watching film, there’s no weaknesses that I’ve seen.”
Take a deep breath, pull up your favorite chair, and get ready to exhale. One team needs two more wins.