Recalling Better Days

Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler could've easily sulked over a weekend that resulted in two more losses for the worst-in-the-Eastern Conference Washington Wizards. But the Wizards team captains still found reason to smile. Their alma maters -- North Carolina and Connecticut, respectively -- are both headed to the Final Four.

"That's what excites me more than anything," said Butler, who played at U-Conn. from 2000 to 2002, losing to eventual champ Maryland in the East Region final in his last season. "U-Conn. is in the Final Four. North Carolina is in the Final Four, so we've got a lot of happy dudes in this locker room."

North Carolina's victory over Oklahoma put a huge smile on Jamison's face, with his former school advancing to the national semifinal for the second consecutive year. "Nothing more than what we expect. When you go to Carolina, the season don't start until you get to the Final Four," said Jamison, who played at North Carolina from 1995 to '98, reaching two Final Fours. "A lot of those guys came back. The main reason they came back was to try to win it all. A lot of people didn't have them going to the Final Four, but I've been able to talk junk all year." . . .

It was impossible not to get caught up in the NCAA tournament on Sunday, with Michigan State defeating Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium, which is only a few blocks from Conseco Fieldhouse. Before the Wizards suffered loss No. 58, Butler was trying to recruit supporters for Connecticut and got engaged in a debate with teammate Brendan Haywood over where Connecticut senior point guard A.J. Price would go in the NBA draft.

Haywood teamed with Jamison and Vince Carter on North Carolina's 1998 Final Four team and returned in 2000. He sat in front of his stall in the visitors locker room, complaining about how the Internet connection wouldn't allow him to watch the Tar Heels play Oklahoma. He was unfazed about his pre-tournament pick Louisville going down.

The Arizona Wildcats were in Indianapolis this weekend after advancing to the found of 16, but they lost on Friday to Louisville. A few reporters who cover the team spoke with former Wildcat Gilbert Arenas after the Wizards' game. Arenas said he picked Arizona to win the tournament, but doesn't really pay attention to college basketball. "I don't watch the JV. My Arizona boys got knocked out," said Arenas, who reached the NCAA championship game in 2001.

-- Michael Lee