Ryan Wood’s UNC notebook

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Devilish one

North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough is the star of the team, but strong attention needs to be given to guards Wayne Ellington (16.6 points per game) and Ty Lawson (12.8 ppg).

Lawson in particular – and for more than just being a lightning-fast point guard. UNC teammate Marcus Ginyard said he refused to room with Lawson in Texas because Lawson is the ultimate practical joker.

His favorite prank: Lawson tries his hardest to pickpocket coach Roy Williams and get his cash whenever he can.

“Most of the time, Ty gets caught,” Ginyard said. “Coach will be talking in the huddle, and you’ll see him smack his arm down. There’s Ty, trying to get his fingers in his pocket.”

Leaving home

North Carolina’s road to the Final Four was traveled by bus.

The Tar Heels won their first two NCAA Tournament games in Raleigh, N.C., and the next two in Charlotte, N.C.

“I don’t think it means too much for this team playing outside of North Carolina,” Ginyard said. “We’ve wanted to play in San Antonio since Day One. Everything we’ve done is to get to San Antonio.

“Even in the weight room. We’ve got an exercise in the weight room called ‘The walk to San Antonio.'”

Little Moody

North Carolina walk-on Patrick Moody, the brother of former KU forward Christian Moody, said his emotions aren’t anything special regarding KU-UNC.

“Christian played there and had a good career there, and I cheered hard for him when he was there,” Patrick Moody said. “I’m still a Kansas fan, but not today.”

So, just how would you capture the euphoria of victory – or, god forbid, the agony of defeat – in just a few words?

As the Jayhawks get ready for their big game against North Carolina in the Final Four, we’re giving everyone a chance to submit their suggested headlines for Sunday morning’s paper.

Some advice: Be clever, descriptive and, of course, concise. Remember: Your optimistic words just might end up being prophetic.

For now, we’ll stick with taking ideas for the national semifinal, the one pitting Bill Self and the No. 1-seeded Jayhawks against Roy Williams and his No. 1-seeded Tar Heels.

Show off your headlines by going to www2.ljworld.com/headline and leaving your suggestion in the comments.