The NCAA men’s basketball tournament has become a Cinderella story, as low seeded teams go on to unexpected glory, delivering a twist to the phrase “if the shoe fits.” In this year’s tourney, the team to watch was a small school out of Carolina called Davidson. But in the end, the clock struck twelve for the Wildcats as they were beaten 59-57 by the Kansas Jayhawks. For the first time, all four number-one seeded teams have advanced to the Final Four. North Carolina will play Cinderella spoiler Kansas, while UCLA will play Memphis.

(1) North Carolina vs. (1) Kansas

While this doesn’t seem like a surprise, Kansas almost didn’t make it. The Jayhawks survived a last-second three-pointer from Davidson guard Jason Richards to win 59-57. They will go up against a Tar Heels team that has dominated their opponents, winning each of their four games by double digits.

North Carolina is led by Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough, who averages a double-double with 22.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Hansbrough, along with the entire Tar Heels team, seem to have heated up, shooting 53.4 per cent field goals and a stellar 85.6 per cent from the free throw line in their victory against third seed Louisiana. Their ability to hit clutch shots and convert on the line is why they are so hard to defend as East Region Champions.

Skeptics claim that because North Carolina has played its four games in a home state arena, a move out will be tough. But this is a team that went 36-2 this season, with strong shooting percentages as three of the starting five average over 10 points per game. North Carolina will continue their winning ways all the way to the finals.

Pick: North Carolina

(1) UCLA vs. (1) Memphis:

The Memphis Tigers punched their ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 1985 with a 85-67 romp of second seed Texas. The Tigers were led by freshman Derrick Rose, who had 21 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds en route to South Region MVP. The Tigers have shown superiority in the tournament thus far, winning by an average 16 points per game.

They will have their work cut out for them as they face a UCLA Bruins squad that has made the Final Four three consecutive years. The Bruins put up a dominant performance to defeat third seed Xavier 76-57, led by freshman centre Kevin Love with 19 points and 10 rebounds, five of which came in the offensive end. Along with a shooting score of 53.8 per cent from the floor against Xavier, the Bruins proved their 35-3 record, shutting down teams with a strong man-to-man defence. Continuing this legacy will be the key factor in defeating the Tigers and securing their spot in the National Championship.

The Bruins will fall short as Tyler Hansbrough leads the Tar Heels to a National Championship. While there will be no “Cinderella” champion, North Carolina does hold something in common with the Walt Disney character: they both wear blue.

Pick: UCLA