I kind of figured this team wasn't going to win the national championship this year. I kind of knew they'd bow out in the NCAA tournament without repeating as champions. But I didn't expect it to be like this.

With each win this season, the expectations for this team rose. They didn't look like the greatest team ever, but they looked like a pretty good team. So it was in the Elite Eight that most people had placed this team after seeing the seedings. But the Heels ran into a team with nothing to lose in George Mason.

It seemed like the young Tar Heels were playing scared. They might deny it themselves, but it appeared as though they were so afraid to mess up, they didn't want to take the chance. So they did nothing. Didn't attack the basket and were content to toss up from long-distance. Didn't want to risk a foul so they didn't play smart defense. Didn't want to lose, so they played not to. And lost.

Now's not the time for me to reflect on the incredible run this team had, surpassing all expectations and giving the fans some excitement while we wait til next year.

Now's the time to turn to ESPN and ESPN2, because Ivory Latta and Sylvia Hatchell are intent on bringing a national championship to Chapel Hill themselves.