Sports

Two "powerhouse" programs — Kansas and Kentucky.

Rosters full of potential NBA stars.

All the hype you would expect from an NCAA men's basketball championship.

But, alas, don't be surprised if there aren't as many "silky smooth jumpers" and other great shots as you might expect during tonight's big game, NPR's Mike Pesca reports.

Three things are working against the teams:

In the history of men’s college basketball, only Kentucky has won more games than the University of Kansas. 

In just a few days the field of the NCAA basketball tournament will be set and March Madness will begin in earnest.

In the latest installment of "A Fan's Notes," Victor Wishna looks for a method in the madness and finds that the road to the Final Four is paved with poetic intentions:

Two days after clinching at least a share of the Big 12 regular season title, the University of Kansas basketball team plays again Monday night at Oklahoma State.

On Saturday, February 25, 2012, a more than 100 year-old tradition will come to an end. It's a competition that some say has roots in the Civil War era. 

The nominations have all been announced and the Academy Awards are almost here. As any sports fan knows, the thrill of athletic competition is the stuff dreams--and movies--are often made of.