March 30
ATLANTA -- The stage is set, baby! Maryland against Indiana on Monday. Think about it: The Hoosiers could become the first team ever to win a national championship after losing 11 games, and they are only the second No. 5 seed to advance to the title game (Florida in 2000 was the first).

In other words, Maryland will be a big-time favorite to beat Indiana for the national title. Could this be another one of those dramatic moments that have happened before in college basketball, when a team has been given a one-game shot at the title?

You'd better believe Mike Davis and his Hoosier faithful will be singing loud and clear that no one is giving them a shot. But if you look at the NCAA Tournament over the years, you know that anything is possible.

As it was before I arrived in Atlanta, my choice to win the national title is Maryland. Certainly after watching the Terrapins perform, nothing has changed my feeling.

Indiana's gutty players will battle and scrap, but looking at Maryland, I really believe winning experience in tournament time is a major plus. After playing in last year's Final Four, Maryland had its goal set from Day One to cut down the nets in Atlanta.

The Terrapins have been focused. Nothing will stop them from winning the national title, not even a terrific Indiana team that will give them all it has.

In the end, Maryland's interior strength and brilliant perimeter play of Juan Dixon and Steve Blake will bring Gary Williams his first national title.