ST. LOUIS - APRIL 04: Head coach Roy Williams, Sean May 342 and the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini 75-70 to win...

Stay ... just a little bit longer

North Carolina, like a host of recent champions, built its title team when a bunch of NBA prospects decided to return for another run. Who could repeat that feat next season?

Story | Conversation | April 09, 2009

Something to prove, something to gain

Tyler Hansbrough, Jay Wright, Tom Izzo and Jim Calhoun all have more on the line in Detroit than simply winning a 2009 NCAA championship.

ESPNTheMag.Com Presents: All-World Power Rankings

...this NCAA Tournament about conferences: when 'Cuse was hot, people though they might knock off Oklahoma then UNC and send four Big East teams to Detroit. Instead, MSU stepped up big and UNC rode its...

7 Things You Should Know About The Tar Heels

1) WE CALL WES MILLER A NERD. "He really loves studying and gets after the books. He's kind of the old guy on the team— you know, those old guys...

T. LOUIS - APRIL 04: Head coach Roy Williams and Sean May 342 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrate after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini 75-70 to win the NCAA Men...

Hansbrough playing with purpose

Tyler Hansbrough can enhance his legacy with a title this season. Who else can use the NCAA tournament to change perceptions?

No. 2 Tar Heels grab regular-season crown in Hansbrough's final home game

Tyler Hansbrough scored 17 points in his final home game to help No. 2 North Carolina beat No. 7 Duke 79-71 Sunday and win the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title.

Dean E. Smith Center: Welcome to basketball Valhalla in Chapel Hill

Welcome to basketball Valhalla in Chapel Hill.

Dean E. Smith Center (continued)

Welcome to basketball Valhalla in Chapel Hill.

While others wait, Phillips works

While others wait, Ta'Shia Phillips works. While others wonder if the rebound will come their way, she makes sure to get there first. And that's why Phillips and Xavier are the non-BCS team to watch this season.

Tick Tick Tick…The Time Is Now

...on a December afternoon, in the middle of a clump of holiday games and savage practices. The North Carolina Tar Heels had a camp to run, with 250 elementaryschoolers bouncing around the Dean Dome like...

Williams prepares for the great expectations of 2008-09 season

UNC coach Roy Williams knows his 2008-09 team, with its impressive talent and depth, will carry the burden of great expectations. So he's made it clear to his team that the Tar Heels' title hopes come first, writes Andy Katz.

Last-minute draft decisions loom

With the NBA now paying for early entrants' workouts, it doesn't make sense for some players not to test the draft waters. But some high-profile players waited until the 11th hour to decide, writes Andy Katz.

UNC favorite to win it all in 2009

What have we learned from Kansas' title win? Which team will have the look of a champion in 2009? UConn, UCLA and Texas will all be tough, but North Carolina has the look of a title team, writes Doug Gottlieb.

Story | Conversation | April 10, 2008