The Morning Dish – Monday, April 4th
Finale: It has come down to this for the national championship: 37-1 Illinois against 32-4 North Carolina. For only the fourth time since they began seeding teams, two number one seeds meet in the championship. The Tar Heels were involved in two of those previous match-ups, winning the 1982 title over Georgetown and also the 1993 title over Michigan. It is also the first time the top two ranked teams meet in the finals since 1975 when UCLA beat Kentucky.
The Illini are looking for their first national title in 100 years of basketball. It’s their fifth trip to the Final Four but only their first trip to the championship game. Bruce Weber brings several coach of the year awards to the table but is only in his fourth year as a head coach. Before this year, he had never made it past the Sweet 16. On the court, they are led by three first-team All-Big Ten performers in Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head. But in the national semifinals against Louisville, it was Roger Powell who sparked the Illini to victory with 18 second half points.
North Carolina is participating in its NCAA-best 16th Final Four but has only three championships to show for it. Roy Williams is coaching in his fifth Final Four and is still looking for his first title; twice he’s lost in the title game and the other two times he lost to the eventual champion in the national semifinals. Armed with five potential NBA lottery picks, this is perhaps his best chance to get that elusive championship. One of those potential lottery picks, Sean May, controlled the paint against Michigan State and is first in the tournament in points and second in rebounds. He hopes to have similar success against the Illini and follow in the footsteps of his dad, who won a national title with Indiana in 1976.
Roberson on the Fence: For the second year in a row, Florida guard Anthony Roberson is deciding whether or not to return to college. Last year, he waited well into the spring to make a decision, but this year, he says he will make his decision sooner rather than later. Now in his junior season, he led the Gators to their first-ever SEC tournament title and led the SEC in scoring. At best, Roberson is a late first-round draft pick, but he’s not letting talk influence his choice, instead following his own heart. Head coach Billy Donavon is supporting Roberson with whatever choice he makes, saying “there is no right or wrong decision.”
Loyola Marymount Finds its Leader: It is expected that Loyola Marymount will name Rodney Tention as head coach Tuesday. For the past eight years, Tention has been an assistant under Lute Olson at Arizona. He replaces Steve Aggers, who was fired after five mediocre seasons, culminating with this season’s last-place finish in the West Coast Conference.
Archibald in the Mix at Florida Atlantic: Iowa State assistant coach Damon Archibald met with Florida Atlantic officials about their head coaching vacancy this weekend at the Final Four. Other candidates for the post include Henry Bibby and Pat Knight. Whoever gets the job will replace Sidney Green, who was 54-121 in six seasons at Florida Atlantic.
Wheels for Tickets: At UNLV, 34 senior employees enjoy the benefits of a free lease of a car from a local dealership. In exchange for the cars, the dealerships get exclusive season ticket packages to football and basketball games. Sound a little fishy?
Well, it’s all legal according Internal Revenue Service and NCAA guidelines as long as the lease is reported on the recipient’s W2 and no players are allowed in on the deal. Most colleges use similar packages to lure in coaches and administrators. Job applicants often expect the perk. The University of Wisconsin recently scaled back their lease program after the chancellor decided it wasn’t fair for athletic employees to get the perk if academic deans did not. But still, 50 Badger coaches and assistants have free vehicles.
The leases aren’t always limited to just employees though. Spouses frequently reap the benefits, too. Melinda Sanford, wife of UNLV football coach Mike Sanford, drives a 2004 Mercedes valued at $65,000 through a free lease. Remember this the next time you spot your favorite coach or administrator in a pimped out ride.
Tonight’s Menu
• Tip off for the national championship between Illinois and North Carolina is at 9:21 ET.
