Return of players propelled North Carolina

If it all comes together, you get Monday night.

After Florida won the national title in 2006, its starting lineup decided to return to school to win another title -- and did.

Conversely, Stephen Curry returned after leading Davidson to the brink of the Final Four last year. This year, Davidson didn't even make the tournament.

Did UCLA guard Darren Collison, after playing in three Final Fours, improve his stock by coming back to lead the Bruins to a second-round loss to Villanova?

Hansbrough and Co. took the chance and made it pay off, but it was far from easy. Hansbrough did not match his spectacular junior season production and heard his share of whispers.

"A lot of people doubted me this year," Hansbrough said after Monday's victory. "But looking back on things, people can say whatever they want. Because now, I'm part of something special that most people will never get to experience in their lives."

Should they stay or should they go?

On Tuesday, Oklahoma sophomore Blake Griffin, this season's Associated Press national player of the year, announced he was turning pro. Other players will ponder similar choices in coming weeks.

It's easy to look at North Carolina and wonder about USC, a program teetering between something special and something mediocre.

Three key Trojans face the decision that the four Carolina players faced last summer.

If juniors Daniel Hackett and Taj Gibson, along with freshman DeMar DeRozan, all return to USC in Carolina-like unison, USC could make a run to the Final Four.

If they all leave, the Trojans will be lucky to make the NIT.

Should they stay or should they go?

"This is the best decision that I ever made in my life," North Carolina's Ellington said after winning the Final Four's most-outstanding-player award. "To experience this with my teammates and to be here, national champions, it is all worth it."

The knocks may soon come on USC Coach Tim Floyd's office door.

Of course, until 3 p.m. last Thursday, it appeared Floyd might be moving his door to Tucson.

Should they stay or should they go?

Is North Carolina the model or the exceptional exception? Think of the possibilities, and the risk.

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chris.dufresne@latimes.com