There's this dream from which I prefer not to awaken too soon because it's so delicious: Kansas meets North Carolina for the 2007 NCAA basketball title and nips the Tar Heels by one point in triple overtime. Emotional Roy Williams ought to be able to blubber a week over that.

This KU team could ease the pain that has persisted in the souls of the 1957 warriors - 50 years for the living - dedicating the victory to "winning one for the Dipper and Co." The real beauty is that this '07 gang has yet to deliver 40 full minutes as well as it's capable of playing. Showtime, kids!

Phog Allen told his players never to win for the coach, but for themselves, families, loved ones and KU. What a treat for these '07 dandies to atone for the many times KU shoulda-coulda-woulda won other national crowns. For those still hoping KU can get back at Carolina for recalling Williams, what better way than edging the Heels in a grand finale? Wonder if a distraught Roy might conclude that news session with, "I could give a s**t about Kansas!"

KU has had 12 NCAA Final Four teams. How lucky if this season should produce No. 13, in which the Jayhawks reign supreme?

A third title could be a glowing tribute to the 1940 guys, who made the title game in the early, pioneering stages of the event before being whipped by Indiana.

One of the sorriest denials of KU's potential came in 1942-43 due to a rather dominant glitch called World War II. KU featured a starting five of Charlie Black, Otto Schnellbacher, Ray Evans, Capt. John Buescher and Armand Dixon. By the time Wyoming won the title from on March 30, most of Phog Allen's brilliant Jayhawks had dispersed to the four winds for military service. For example, Kansas ended its 22-6 season by beating Kansas State here March 5; the next day Phog personally escorted six of his men to Fort Leavenworth for Army induction.

Don't tell me that KU unit wouldn't have beaten the Oklahoma, Texas and Georgetown teams Wyoming did. Win one for those guys, Jayhawks, along with other KU kin who deserved far better than fate delivered.

The '53 Jayhawks fell by a free throw to Indiana and were one of the most thrilling crews ever to wear the colors. They, too, have grieved long and hard and would savor a '07 trophy since they did so much to enhance KU's rich heritage. Then there was that rooking Kansas got in Lubbock, Texas, in 1966 when Jo Jo White's game-winning shot was nullified by a crummy refereeing call.

That was when the black-dominated Texas Western team which KU actually beat won the title by whipping an all-white Kentucky team, which Kansas also would have handled. That triggered the Myth of '66 about minority impact on the game, although that trend was set clear back in the 1950s, with KU a significant player in the drama. Both the '43 and '66 Jayhawks never made the Final Four but should have and would have except for that damned war and a faulty ref call.

A title this year would also honor the '71 and '74 Final Four Jayhawks, make the 1986 Duke-derailed guys feel a little better and allow the 1991 crew to sleep better at night (Duke again). That team finished 35-4, best ever for KU at that point. In 1993 it was North Carolina which again derailed a dream express. Feel sad for the great 1997 crew (34-2). It ran afoul of an Arizona club it would have handled if Jerod Haase hadn't been hurt.

Came 2002 and a semifinal loss to Maryland, then that 2003 loss to Syracuse, three points, when with a 12-30 free-throw foulup KU laid enough bricks to build a new Taj Mahal. This year, hit the damned free throws, guys! Anything less than 70 percent spells doom.

A little luck and happenstance and Kansas could have six or seven NCAA titles instead of the official two - hopefully going on three. This year's team doesn't lack people to honor, forerunners to whom to dedicate their triumphs. What a fantastic tribute another championship would be for the many Jayhawks who paid the price to get the Gang of '07 where they are.

Lots of invisible names would be on another title trophy. So win it!