We love a good Fun Fact and try to pass them along wherever we latch on to one, so here goes. (Those of you who have already heard it, just play along anyway).

Do you know the last time that the national championship game had two teams both playing for their first title in school history (as is the case with Virginia and Texas Tech Monday night)?

Answer: 1979, when Michigan State played Indiana State. Some guys named Magic and Bird played in that game, as a side note.

Not sure what all of that means, just thought the Designated Writers should pass it along.

As for the game, I’m pulling for Virginia but I think Texas Tech is going to win. I watched a lot of Virginia the last two years and I thought they played the best defense I had seen in a long time. But after watching Texas Tech, the Red Raiders’ defense makes Virginia’s look like the Washington Generals (look it up if you don’t get the reference).

I will admit to often pulling for a team in a game in which I have no vested interest by how much I like one coach or the other. In this case, I can’t think of two more likable fellows than Tech’s Chris Beard and Virginia’s Tony Bennett. Beard deserved credit for having to follow two coaches who have won national championships at other schools — Bob Knight and Tubby Smith. Bennett suffered the indignity of being the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 a year ago (people forget his best player got injured late in the year).

It’s the lowest over/under point total in 20 years (it opened at 120 and has fallen) and they may not be able to make it low enough. And Virginia is a very slight favorite.

It will probably be ugly and people will complain about how it wasn’t entertaining. Defensive games usually aren’t. Which doesn’t matter in the least to the team hoisting the trophy.

Which I think will be Texas Tech.