Take a look at history before filling out NCAA brackets by The Gaming Today’s, Mark Mayer

If you go by history in filling out your NCAA brackets, then there’s a 50/50 chance both North Carolina and Syracuse will reach this year’s Final Four in New Orleans.

The Superdome will be hosting its fifth NCAA men’s basketball championship game since 1982. Each has been a classic with no more than six points deciding the winner and two determined by a single digit.

North Carolina and Syracuse are No. 1 seeds this season along with Kansas and Kentucky. UNC’s Roy Williams is one of four coaches in the 21st century to win two national titles. The others are Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Jim Calhoun (UConn) and Billy Donovan (Florida).

Krzyzewski is the leader among active coaches with four. Calhoun is next with three. Of course, nobody will approach John Wooden, who led UCLA to 10 NCAA titles in 12 years, including an incredible seven in a row (1967-73).

Overall, UCLA has won 11 followed by Kentucky (7), North Carolina (5) and Kansas (3).

Over the years, the NCAA has moved the Final Four sites around since the first one back in 1939 was played in Evanston, Ill. – home of the Northwestern Wildcats.

Kansas City, New York City and Louisville were the favorite spots for the Big Dance between 1943 and 1969. KC hosted it seven times, New York seven out of eight years, including six straight (1943-48) and Louisville six times between 1958 and 1969.

In more recent times, Indianapolis has had the Final Four five times since 1991. Whether that means anything or not is certainly debatable, especially here in Las Vegas where such factoids really have no bearing on determining lines, odds or prop wagers.

Still, it is interesting to go back in time and examine some of the memorable championship games in the Big Easy – especially with so many thrillers.

2003

Syracuse 81, Kansas 78

Jim Boeheim’s Orange finished 30-5 in finally gaining the legendary coach his first and only national title. Syracuse, led by Carmelo Anthony, built an 18-point lead in the first half. Kansas with Nick Collison and Kirk Heinrich came all the way back only to fall just short. (Vegas line: Kansas -5)

1993

N. Carolina 77, Michigan 71

The proper sendoff for UNC’s iconic coach Dean Smith in a classic most remembered for Michigan’s Fab Five freshmen and the ultimate goof by Chris Webber. It was C-Web who called time out with under 20 seconds left when the Wolverines had none. The blunder resulted in a technical foul and cost the Maze and Blue the title. The Tar Heels finished 34-4. (Vegas line: UNC -2)

1987

Indiana 74, Syracuse 73.

Famous for the buzzer-beater from deep in the corner by Keith Smart off a missed free throw by Derrick Coleman. It was Bob Knight’s third national title in 11 years for the Hoosiers and a loss Boeheim had to live with for 16 years. (Vegas line: Indiana -4)

1982

N. Carolina 63, Georgetown 62

Another classic with Georgetown guard Freddie Brown literally handing UNC the championship by passing the ball to a surprised but alert James Worthy in the final seconds. Michael Jordan, who hit the game-winning jumper, and Patrick Ewing were both freshmen. Eric “Sleepy” Floyd was the top scorer for John Thompson’s Hoyas. (No Vegas line available)

2012

We’re working on our brackets, but we’re siding with the underdog right now.

 Visit www.aasiwins.com for all of Mark Mayer’s free NCAAB articles and winners.

 Visit www.aasiwins.com for all of Mark Mayer’s free NCAAB articles and winners.