The most affable Washington Wizard, Antawn Jamison, turned uncharacteristically surly when asked if he had played in an NCAA Final Four.
“Man, you don’t know that, man,” said Jamison. “I played in two of ’em. I played in Indianapolis and San Antonio.”
Jamison had to be prodded for more.
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“I don’t have too many good memories,” said Jamison. “We lost in the first game, both opportunities. First one, we thought we had the team to win it. Second one, we definitely thought we were the better team.”
Jamison and Vince Carter were the stars of Carolina teams that were seeded No. 1, but lost in the national semifinals to No. 4 Arizona in 1997 and No. 3 Utah in ’98.
Despite a storied past, disappointment in the Final Four is a sore subject in Tar Heels Land. Carolina has lost more national semifinals (10) than any team. The only school close is Louisville (6). Legendary coach Dean Smith was haunted by NCAA failures before breaking through with Michael Jordan in 1982.
So Jamison treads lightly when asked for a prediction for his favored Tar Heels this weekend.
“I know they’re hungry and want to come out better and redeem themselves after what happened last year,” said Jamison. “I think they have a great opportunity. If they get past Villanova, it might be our destiny.”
