HOW THEY GOT HERE: One of the biggest surprises of the season in college basketball happened all the way back in April. That's when Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, Al Horford and Joakim Noah -- the Most Outstanding Player of the last year's NCAA Tournament and a probable No. 1 overall pick in last June's NBA draft -- announced their intent to pass on the allure of the pro ranks and return to Gainesville to defend their national title. Read more...

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Sunday's East Regional final between North Carolina and Georgetown was a clash between the two most efficient offenses in the nation -- between groups which achieved their success through vastly differing approaches. Read more ...

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Year 3 under Ben Howland brought UCLA to the brink of their first national championship since 1995 - a far cry from the team's last season under Howland predecessor Steve Lavin when the Bruins collected just 10 victories. How will Year 4 end? Read more...

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Many college basketball fans had Ohio State pegged for this year's Final Four as far back as June 29, 2005: the date Greg Oden gave an oral commitment to play for the Buckeyes. And that was before Thad Matta had assembled a tricked-out recruiting class that has been rightly regarded as one of the most accomplished bands of first-year players in history. Read more ...