Brackets tip in UNC's favor

0 Comments | USA TODAY, March, 2008 | by Marlen Garcia

The Memphis Tigers have been on the brink of the NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four the last two seasons only to lose in the Elite Eight.

UCLA has been in a similar rut, making the Final Four the last two years but losing in last year's semifinals to eventual champion Florida and in the 2006 title game, also to Florida.

Then there's Kansas, always a threat for a national title but falling short of the Final Four -- and twice losing in the first round -- under fifth-year coach Bill Self.

Any of these teams is capable of winning the title April 7 in San Antonio in a year without a commanding favorite.

Yet if any team has an edge, it's top-ranked North Carolina. The Tar Heels received the No.1 overall seed Sunday from the NCAA...