The reign of Kansas atop the college basketball world has ended after the Jayhawks 67-62 loss to Michigan State tonight.

It's the emotion captured in this picture that makes the NCAA tournament as great as it is. It's real.

This hasn't been the best-played, or most interesting, tourney, but it's always been compelling, especially to see the victors celebrate and the losers in a daze of devastation. The amount that each player cares is what makes this the greatest event on the American sports calendar, no matter what the results are.

Now that Kansas is gone, there are eight teams left vying for the 2009 title. Seven of those teams will conclude its seasons by looking like Kansas' Tyrel Reed (above). But one team will experience the thrill of cutting down the nets, just like Reed and his Kansas teammates did 51 weeks ago.

With seven games left, who will emerge as the champion? Will Rick Pitino become the first coach to win titles at two different schools? Can Roy Williams match his mentor Dean Smith by winning his second? Will Pitt make a new for itself on the national stage, or will Blake Griffin add to his accolades with a championship trophy? Can Connecticut ignore the growing allegations against the program? How will Villanova do, following a 24-year Final Four drought. And can Missouri shock the world like Florida did three years ago?

In seven games over ten days we'll find out. Come along for the ride with The Dagger.