By Mike DeCourcy

updated 4:32 p.m. ET March 10, 2008

Mike DeCourcy

Starting in November and concluding a weekend or so into March, the college basketball regular season is not the longest in American sports. Of course, there are some who ignorantly contend it does not exist, that only the NCAA Tournament matters. And there probably are a few on the tournament selection committee who, for some odd reason, believe the season lasts one month, February, when games supposedly matter more.

For those who live college hoops, though, the postseason's arrival can bring a refreshing end to a beautiful slog filled with spectacular plays (think UCLA's Russell Westbrook and Duke's Gerald Henderson), thrilling finishes (who knew Bucknell vs. Navy could be so exciting?) and overpowering performances (thanks for your year of service, Mr. Beasley).

If you watched closely on the way to March, this is some of what you learned:

Look out for KU
By any subjective measure, Kansas has more components to win the NCAA championship than every team that will try to stand between the Jayhawks and that confetti shower at the Alamodome. There is no other team with KU's stack of low-post options offering 20 fouls and multiple methods to get inside baskets; their wealth of perimeter shooters and attacking ability; and a versatile defense that blocks shots, steals the ball or locks down for big stops.

Kansas did not always display a sense of urgency this season and did not face the series of significant challenges that confronted other high seeds. So there's no way to know how the Jayhawks will apply their gifts. My bet: in a fearsome manner that will carry them deep into the NCAAs.

UCLA could afford to pick it up
The Bruins' overall resiliency and second-half dominance are impressive for a team that does not make extensive use of the bench, but they'd be better off playing from the tip-off instead of waiting for opponent to punch them several times in the nose.

UCLA had to come back against Stanford, California and twice against Oregon. The Pac-10 is a deep, rugged league, and opponents are going to have their moments. But the Bruins do not attack offensively until cornered. Westbrook and point guard Darren Collison can get to the lane against almost every perimeter defender in the country. They wear may wear adidas gear, but Just Do It already.

The Memphis Tigers will go as far as their Ds take them
Not their "D" — their Ds, Robert Dozier and Joey Dorsey.

Dozier tends to get caught up in what others say about him — mostly the hangers-on who tell him he's a serious pro prospect. There's some truth in it, but the only way for him to make it happen is to play with constant effort. He hasn't embraced that message.

Dorsey is just a tough player to figure. Does he want to be a champion, or is he one of those self-saboteurs? Who is willing to bet on him bringing his best effort for another month?

Tennessee's Tyler Smith might be the nation's toughest matchup
If any player seemed suited to handle Smith's uncommon approach to the power forward position, it was Dozier. Although a small forward by stature and a point guard by skill, the 6-7 Smith probably isn't as quick as the 6-9 Dozier. He is a little stronger, but it wasn't muscle that got it done for Smith in the big No. 1-No. 2 showdown last month. It was creativity and heart. Good luck to any NCAA opponent trying to seize those assets from Smith.

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