3 storylines that may play out in national championship game

The Final Four is set.

One of Gonzaga, North Carolina, Oregon, and South Carolina will be cutting down the nets on April 3 and partying like it's 1999, while the other three will taste the cold, bitter dish of defeat.

This year's national championship will be as unique as it is every year, but this Final Four grouping contains some interesting storylines to watch should the appropriate teams emerge victorious Saturday.

Gonzaga vs. North Carolina - A Tale of two #1's

Should both No. 1 seeds win Saturday, a potential Gonzaga-North Carolina brawl-for-all would be the ultimate story of David vs. Goliath.

Prior to this season, Gonzaga had never reached the Final Four in its 19 tournament appearances. North Carolina not only boasts 20 Final Four appearances, but also 10 national championship game appearances, holding a 5-5 record.

The Bulldogs could finally end the stigma that they're simply the best of the rest and worthy of being recognized as a national powerhouse, but to do so they will need every moving part at optimal production to slay the giant from Chapel Hill.

Oregon vs. South Carolina - The Mighty Have Fallen

If South Carolina and Oregon meet for the national championship, the occurrence would be scintillating on so many levels and be the greatest proof of all that absolutely anything can happen in March.

First, a Gamecocks-Ducks duel would mean that not one, but both No. 1 seeds fell one win short of fighting for the ultimate prize. Both the history of North Carolina's high-performance play and Gonzaga's power push falling by the wayside would create a chaotic tension for the biggest game of the year.

Second, it would mean that two teams would be 40 minutes away from the top of the mountain for the first time, at the same time. One team's dream would be realized, while the other would be left wondering if the hallowed stage will ever be attainable.

Third, it would mark the first time the two programs have squared off against each other on the hardcourt. Not a bad place to make each other's acquaintance.

North Carolina vs. South Carolina - Civil War

No, it's not the Union against the Confederates, but a battle of north and south would add a unique element to this year's championship game.

Pitting the Tar Heels against the Gamecocks would actually bring out an interesting narrative that could potentially bring the upset of the season to a boiling point. South Carolina has been the strongest second-half team all tournament, posting plus-54 points in the final 20 minutes.

North Carolina proved it's capable of being completely invisible for lengthy stretches, as evidenced by their whopping 7:39 without a made field goal through halftime Sunday against Kentucky.

If the Tar Heels take another bath like that in this championship matchup, their bubble could be burst in the blink of an eye, leading to an unprecedented changing of the basketball guard in the Carolina's.