It was interesting watching Murray State almost pull off the upset over North Carolina Friday night. Interesting not only because Carolina almost ruined the ACC’s perfect first round (for that matter, Boston College and North Carolina State came close to blowing it also) but because of one of the Murray State players.

For Virginia fans it probably seems like a lifetime ago, but it was just four years ago that Keith Jenifer gave Cavalier fans hope that the team finally had the point guard it desperately needed.

As a freshman, Jenifer showed glimpses of granting Virginia fans their wish. Although he never looked to score first, Jenifer did hit a shot that turned out to be a game-winner for the Cavs against No. 3-ranked Duke. He also helped lead UVa. to a pair of wins over North Carolina that season.

A year later, Jenifer had 10 points, six assists and a pair of steals against Carolina in another Virginia win over the Tar Heels.

Interestingly enough, it would be three years before Jenifer got to face Carolina again, this time in the NCAA Tournament as a member of the 14th-seeded Murray State Racers.

Jenifer ended up getting suspended from the Cavaliers during his sophomore season after being charged with assault and battery (the charges were later dropped) and never returned to Pete Gillen’s program.

Instead, Jenifer transferred to Murray State, sat out a year, and has played for the Racers the past two seasons. He’s never accomplished what many thought he might while at Virginia, averaging just 7.5 points and four assists a game last year, and only five points and 3.4 assists this season as a part-time starter.

But until Friday night, Jenifer had never lost to North Carolina. And he would have played into the weekend if the Carolina freshmen hadn’t finally taken control. Tyler Hansbrough finished with 24 points, but it was Marcus Ginyard’s free throws with 16.5 seconds left that secured the victory for North Carolina, which now plays George Mason.

As for Jenifer, his college career is now complete. It didn’t turn out the way he or many Virginia fans thought it would. But give him credit for putting his troubles at Virginia behind him and getting one more shot at Carolina.

- Patrick Hite