Mark Humphrey / AP

If North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough, frustrated during an 84-66 loss to Kansas in the NCAA semifinals, stays in school, the Tar Heels will win the NCAA title in 2009, writes NBCSports.com contributor Ken Davis.

“I’m not even thinking about that right now,” Hansbrough told The Associated Press in the locker room after Saturday’s loss. Ellington and Lawson, both sophomores, said they hadn’t given the NBA any thought but Ellington added he planned to discuss his options with his parents.

Another disappointing ending should serve as an inspiration for next season. Williams is so good at using that type of thing as motivation.

“I told them one of the most inadequate feelings as a coach is what to say at a moment like this that can help them, can remove any of the hurt, that can give them something to grab onto,” Williams said Saturday. “I apologized to them because some way, some how I didn’t have our team ready to play as well as Bill [Self] did.”

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures A kayaker flips out, a racehorse eyes the Triple Crown and more. more photos

Tennessee  — JaJuan Smith and Chris Lofton are departing seniors for the Volunteers. Coach Bruce Pearl is waiting to see what Tyler Smith decides. Tennessee has emerged as the best team in the SEC and a national title contender. Don’t expect them to go away any time soon.

Texas — Rick Barnes is one of the most underrated coaches in college basketball. The Longhorns regrouped after the loss of Kevin Durant. It will be another challenge to do the same thing after losing point guard D.J. Augustin,  a sophomore who will likely declare for the draft. But if A.J. Abrams, Damion James, Gary Johnson and Connor Atchley all return, it could be a great time to be in Austin.

Villanova — Jay Wright should have everyone back from a team that just barely squeezed into the NCAA Tournament and then advanced to the Sweet 16 before losing to Kansas. Right now, draft observers say there’s a 50-50 chance of guard Scottie Reynolds declaring for the draft. That would hurt, but the confidence the Wildcats got from their NCAA run should be a tremendous lift.

More news

Mark J. Terrill / AP

Ex-Bruin reacted to article right way

CBT: Drew Gordon is taking a different approach than Reeves Nelson, one much more likely to result in hearing his name called come draft day.

C. Mich. transfer Zeigler cleared to play at Pitt

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Former Central Michigan guard Trey Zeigler has been cleared by the NCAA to play at Pitt next season.

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