Chapter 8: Rivals Are Also Enemies.
Hansen let out a bitter smile.
To ensure wildcard teams are selected more fairly and objectively, the NCAA releases a ranking called the AP (Associated Press) polls every season.
The poll's origins go back to the 1930s. The news media began running their own polls of sports writers to determine, by popular opinion, the best college teams in the country.
This poll ranks teams based on their strength and is updated weekly. The first issue combines the teams' performance from last season and their current roster, while subsequent rankings reflect how the teams performed over the week.
The North Carolina team that Hansen mentioned has been at the top of the poll since the start of the season. After more than half a month, they still hold the number one spot.
In fact, North Carolina dominated the rankings all of last season, only to unexpectedly lose to Kansas in the Final Four.
This season, North Carolina's key players all stayed, and it's the senior year of their star player, Tyler Hansbrough. It's their last chance to chase the championship.
This was why Hansen brought up North Carolina. In terms of both strength and morale, they are comparable to the 1998 Chicago Bulls.
In Hansen's memory, North Carolina ended up winning the championship that year, creating a great story.
If he were up against them, some pre-game trash talk would definitely attract plenty of haters.
"Why do you seem almost disappointed?" Theus noticed Hansen's mood.