"Every year, pundits and fans wonder if a third team will emerge to challenge the duopoly [of Duke and North Carolina], and every year the hope gets a bit weaker. But there was a time when hope wasn't necessary." ... "Instead, the team that's emerged as the potential party-crasher is the surprising Virginia Cavaliers. Ranked 21st in the AP poll and 23rd in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, Tony Bennett's club is 13-1 heading into conference play. And until the problem of a third great team is solved by importing Syracuse from the Big East in 2013, the Cavaliers might be the last best hope."