Old North Banter
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North Carolina Tar Heels: Winning the Ugly Way

By John Woodcock

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) bring the national championship trophy after the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) bring the national championship trophy after the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) celebrates with fans after beating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. The Meeks Shall Inherit the Earth

Meeks had a quiet game offensively, and he was saddled with fouls that took him out for stretches. He returned for the end of the game though and good thing. He forced a jump ball to give the Heels a needed extra possession. With seven seconds left, Meeks blocked Williams-Goss and the ball was thrown out to Jackson for the dunk. Meeks then stole a pass intended for a Gonzaga three point shooter that essentially sealed it.

  1. Tony Bradley’s Big Adventure

The freshman center was called upon to play more minutes with Meeks in foul trouble. It wasn’t always smooth sailing for the rookie, but Bradley made a couple of big shots and his length proved enough of an annoyance for Collins and Karnowski. He also secured seven rebounds including an offensive put back of his own missed shot.

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  1. Isaiah 40:31

This was the mirror game. Jackson and Meeks had delivered against Oregon, and Maye had delivered in Memphis. It was time for Isaiah Hicks to reenter the realm of relevance, and he picked a good time. Hicks made his biggest mark late in the game, starting with two baskets to keep the Heels in the lead. One was a rebound off Bradley while the other showed Hicks driving with control and getting a clutch runner. Hicks came through with thirteen points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.

  1. The MOP

While this was a team survival victory based on defense, this game especially belonged to Joel Berry. He had bad ankles and other assorted problems. He had little arc on many of his shots. Still he managed to score twenty-two points by being the only guy on the roster to make a three pointer. He posted up people. He scrapped for loose balls and got his neck clung for his troubles. He scored twenty-two points, had six assists, made half of his free throws (including the final point of the game).

Next: 1993 vs 2005, Bracket Challenge

It is not pretty like 2009 title was, but the Heels got the job done and Pinson got to rightfully chuck the ball for the second straight game. The North Carolina Tar Heels are simply your 2017 Men’s Basketball National Champions.

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