Beating Carolina in NIT final would thrill Dayton

North Carolina is a mere shell of its former self - a semblance of the team that won last year's national title.

But even so, a Dayton win over the Tar Heels in Thursday night's NIT championship at Madison Square Garden would be a boon for the Flyers' recruiting and provide momentum heading into next season. And don't think Carolina coach Roy Williams isn't feeling the pressure.

"Their athleticism, the pressure they put on one end, is impressive," he said of Dayton Wednesday. "Chris Wright, Chris Johnson, Marcus Johnson . . . They have some youngsters that are extremely athletic, extremely quick. It is impossible to simulate it. We are not going to simulate that kind of athleticism."

And for the Flyers - unlike North Carolina - the NIT championship trophy wouldn't be a consolation prize.

"I am extremely proud of my team in terms of their commitment of staying strong and staying together," said Dayton coach Brian Gregory, whose team defeated Mississippi, 68-63, in Tuesday's semifinals.

"I remember when we were invited to the NIT, we talked that night about what we needed to do to play well and what a great opportunity we have to play in this tournament.

"We have played with greater poise and composure. We have played with great discipline. Our guys have done a great job understanding what they need to do in terms of their role. Our guys, really, have done a good job seeing those, accepting those and putting those in action. There are some teams that enter this tournament that are a little upset that they weren't chosen for the other tournament."

Although Williams again acknowledged Wednesday that the NIT was not the tournament North Carolina wanted to play in, he said winning it would be a "wonderful feeling.''

The Tar Heels could become the first team to follow an NCAA championship with an NIT crown the next season.