UNC Title Reign Ends in NCAA Brackets

The North Carolina Tar Heels and their quest to defend their NCAA title ended rather abruptly when an upstart team from George Mason literally shocked the world.

And it's all because of a mental lapse on the part of UNC head coach, Roy Williams. What mistake could've been made from a coach of his stature you ask?

Roy Williams forgot what the score was.

With 2:52 remaining in regulation, the UNC coach called a 30-second time out with the score tied and ordered a full-court press.

Eight clock ticks later, Tar Heel senior David Noel fouled Mason's Lamar Butler, who then sank what would become the two winning free throws.

''If I'd coached better, that would have helped us out a heck of a lot,'' coach Roy Williams said.

''The score was 54-51 and David [Noel] made a 3 to tie it up. We called a timeout, and I looked up at the clock and it still said 54-51. In my mind, I knew something was wrong. I called a press, and we didn't do a very good job. It was a bad call on my part,'' he admits.

Coach Williams concluded by saying, ''I thought they gave the most impressive first-round performance I have ever seen in an NCAA Tournament game. Not only did George Mason shoot 60 percent, they outrebounded Michigan State 40-24.''

''They played with great purpose and great passion. I was scared to death, to be honest with you. In saying all that, I thought we were going to win this game,'' he adds.

[The NCAA Sweet 16 is set as 16 teams prepare for the biggest dance of their amateur careers. Bodog has the odds. Click and visit Bodog now.]