Reality Check for Guthridge Amid Hoopla

It has been an emotional time for North Carolina Coach Bill Guthridge, who will bury his mother this morning in Parsons, Kan., before returning to Chapel Hill, N.C. tonight.

Guthridge’s mother, Betty, had Alzheimer’s disease SP and died Wednesday at 96 after a long illness.

“It will certainly be a celebration of my mom’s life,” Guthridge said.

“She was a big fan. She hasn’t known what has gone on the last few years. I don’t think she even knew I was the head coach.

“She was a Bill Guthridge fan wherever Bill Guthridge was, whether it was high school, Kansas State and when I went to North Carolina. She was a big fan.”

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North Carolina point guard Ed Cota will play in his third Final Four after playing in 1997 and 1998.

“I think this team is in a class by itself,” Cota said. “It took us a while to get used to each other and find a way to win. The teams I was on in the past, guys knew what it took to win. This team got it done late in the season, but there couldn’t be a better time for it.

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According to the NCAA, North Carolina’s 15 Final Four appearances are one more than UCLA. The governing body doesn’t recognize the Bruins’ 1980 trip, which was revoked as a punishment for rules violations.