TOURNEY V-MAIL | April 1

Q: Being a UNC fan, I am naturally pulling for Kansas in the Final Four. Is fate with the Jayhawks this year? New Orleans always seems to be kind to UNC (1982, 1993). Do you think the UNC karma of the Big Easy will help Coach Williams and the seniors cut down the nets? -- Brian, Boone, N.C.

	Nick Collison and his teammates have overcome plenty.

VITALE -- My gut feeling is, based on the experience factor and being there last year, sentimental favorite Roy Williams could celebrate this year. Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk! This team has battled adversity with the loss of Wayne Simien, and this team is one of destiny. Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison are special kids who have made great contributions to college basketball. I think they will cut down the nets and enjoy the glory of winning a national title.

Q: Carmelo Anthony is a great talent. Can the big men of Texas defend him and keep him from a double-double? -- Don J., Ribera, N.M
VITALE -- Whether they keep him from a double-double or not is not important. What is important is to shut down the other people. You almost have to recognize Anthony is going to get his share of points. He's such a force, an inside-outside presence and the best diaper dandy I've ever seen in a Syracuse uniform.

Q: What are the chances that Dwyane Wade will stick around for one more year if Marquette doesn't win it all this year? -- Justin Diderrich, Oconomowoc, Wis.
VITALE -- I believe he will end up going into the draft. The kid feels physically, mentally and emotionally ready. He has a wife and a son and his stock is probably as high as it will be. I think it would be difficult for him to come back. Obviously, I would love to see him come back for college basketball. But my gut feeling is he will be part of the draft and will be a special player. He has that tremendous athleticism; look at what Richard Jefferson has done for the Nets, what he has become. Wade is explosive, he can play on the perimeter and he can be special.

Q: Who do you think is going to feel more pressure, Syracuse's young players or a favored Texas squad? Who do you think will handle it better? And finally, whose coaching staff is going to prepare and react better between these two excellent programs? Thank you -- Chuck Oehlbeck, Danielsville, Pa.
VITALE -- We sometimes make so much out of the word pressure. The bottom line is, Syracuse is so young with three prominent first-year players but they are not normal first-year players. It will depend a lot on what transpires early in the game, just like what happened with Kentucky and Oklahoma. Both had a difficult time battling back after slows starts and neither got in a rhythm. Getting out the gate and playing well gets you into a positive mindset. That is the key. If you fall behind, the young kids could panic and take some bad shots. That's when you can get yourself in trouble.

Q: Who would be the best player in the Syracuse vs. Texas game and who would you pick to win? -- Julie Elias, Burlington, Vt.
VITALE: You have great inside-outside talent in Anthony. You have the guy who controls the game better than anyone in T.J. Ford. Even when Ford is not scoring, his presence, his quickness and his passing ability makes players like Brandon Mouton, Brian Boddicker and Sydmill Harris that much better. I'd go with the penetration, the creativity of the All-Thomas Edison guy, Mr. Ford.