Nothing Could Be Finer, Than Being Carolina

Let us begin with the CBS mantra: "All Hail the Committee!" At one point during the never-ending love fest between the network that pays billions to the NCAA, Clark Kellogg actually said, "To criticize the committee is just stupid."

Well, Clark, stupid is as stupid goes, so here goes.

There's nothing wrong with the first three seeds here -- North Carolina, Tennessee and Louisville -- but Washington State as a No. 4 is certainly questionable, even though the Pacific-10 was the best league in the country. The Cougars did their most impressive work in January and could easily lose to No. 5 seed Notre Dame in the second round if the Irish get by George Mason in the first round.

We all know committee chairman Tom O'Connor, Mason's athletic director, was out of the room when his team was discussed, but he owes the rest of the committee a round when they all get to San Antonio in a couple of weeks. The Patriots can absolutely beat Notre Dame, a team that did its best work at home and, despite the presence of Luke Harangody, must make three-pointers to win. The only thing working against Mason is Notre Dame's memory of losing to No. 11 Winthrop last year. Even so, Mason can win and would have a real shot against a slow-down team such as Washington State, which should get by Winthrop.

The committee did no favors to American, the other local in this region. The Eagles drew No. 2 Tennessee, a team with big guards that loves to run. It will be very tough for the Eagles to keep pace unless the Volunteers overlook them, which isn't likely. Tennessee should play No. 7 seed Butler in the second round. Why, one wonders, does the committee insist on matching top-drawer mid-majors against one another. Butler should have been at least a No. 5 seed and now it plays South Alabama in the opening round and then draws Tennessee. That's what going 29-3 will do for you.

Exactly how Oklahoma (22-11) rates a No. 6 seed over Butler only someone really smart like Kellogg can figure out. Here's a first-round upset pick: Saint Joseph's over Oklahoma. The Atlantic 10 was a good league this year. Louisville should handle No. 14 Boise State, which may still be tired after going three overtimes Saturday night to win the WAC title.

So, let's send North Carolina -- which will beat the Mount St. Mary's-Coppin State winner (the Mount) and Arkansas (Indiana is done) -- to Charlotte. Note to the committee: If there was ever a year to send two at-large schools to Dayton this was it: Georgia-Baylor should have been the game. But no, we can't do that, can we?

So Carolina goes to Charlotte to host, heck why not, George Mason in a rematch of their second-round game two years ago. This Carolina team is better than that one, and this Mason team isn't as good as 2006. Louisville-Tennessee is the likely other matchup though don't count out Saint Joseph's against the Cardinals or Butler against Tennessee. Either upset could happen though probably won't.

The final? Carolina-Louisville. Rick Pitino's very good but Roy Williams isn't losing in the region final two years in a row. Especially not in Charlotte.