Gonzaga, UNC, Oregon, USC to hold open Final Four practices

For the record, Berry pronounced himself "85 percent" after a workout Friday before coming to the open practices at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Marcus Paige did it a year ago for North Carolina with a clutch basket late in the national title game before Villanova's Kris Jenkins knocked down a game-winner. If there's a point (spread), it's going to be half a point. OR has dynamic players hungry for their time.

MEN IN THE MIDDLE: Seven-foot-1 Przemek Karnowski is Gonzaga's center and he will be matched up with 6-10 Maik Kotsar of SC. In the Pac-12 Tournament opener against Arizona State, he grabbed nine boards and dropped four dimes. Shula is now in Charlotte as Carolina's offensive coordinator, and Maye, who lives about 15 miles north in Huntersville, N.C., has caught up with him a few times in recent years.

Obviously, the Tar Heels have to worry about OR before they look forward to the national championship game, which could be a big enough distraction for them to lay an egg on Saturday night.

Kotsar spent the holidays with teammates and coaches and he credits them for making his transition to Columbia, South Carolina, much smoother.

North Carolina's Joel Berry II answers questions after a practice session for their NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.

"I told them let's use this as fuel, as motivation, to work extremely hard in the offseason".

Tournament ashes: Of all the teams in the NCAA field, OR is closest in style to Duke.

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"But I just think that there are so many really good players, so many really good teams that you want to be playing your best right at the end of the year, and then you have a chance. They've been in physical games". And it's not easy to get here, but it's easier at those two places, and I'm not trying to be humble, I'm being what I think is truthful.

What's left is a cohesive group that has played a ton of games together and has stayed loose even in the most pressure-packed of moments. Right now they're experienced. "I haven't even thought about it being redemption". They lost their #1 and #3 scorers from that team, and while Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige were all-timers, it's quite obvious that the returning depth from that squad has been able to get by without them this season.

If anyone had forecast back in October that North Carolina and SC would meet on April 3 to determine who would wear the crown of Division I men's basketball champion, they would have been called half-crazy. "I'm concentrating on winning these next two games". They dominated that field in Maui. Likewise, Oregon split two contests with the fastest-paced conference opponent, UCLA.

REASON FOR CONCERN: Barnes said the uncertainty surrounding Berry's ankle should worry North Carolina. I'm telling you, that was impressive. They have mostly been aided to this point by playing teams not especially known for their rebounding prowess - Kansas has been their biggest test to-date (they ranked 51st in total rebounding). They have a 57 percent chance to win, according to Ken Pomeroy's projection model (subscription required).

Then there's North Carolina.

That doesn't mean they can't have a little fun in the process, though.

And: "If we do see that, it will be the last time we see it". Speaking of neighborhoods, the one beneath the basket became a fear zone for No. 1-seeded Kansas as Bell's eight blocks came to resemble 16. But, I mean, I feel like I can be that same way. "They are all team players". But now, they're two wins away from the team's second championship. "And fortunately for us Jordan Bell has really stepped up". This tournament has had refs calling a tight game and if that's the case, it might be smart for penetrators to take the ball to hole, draw fouls and put themselves in the bonus early.

"Very excited", Rudolph said, "hopefully (the Tar Heels) bring home the title". Everyone talks about their man defense.