UNC’s Maye headlines list of Final Four X-factors

Kentucky’s final response was a length of the floor inbounds pass by Derek Willis that almost hit the bottom of the scoreboard and landed out of bounds without being touched. “If you think about it, they’ve played (three) straight pretty good games offensively, and I don’t know if you can find that at any point in time throughout the whole year”. When UNC drew Kentucky months later in a rematch, Pinson’s defensive presence played a central role in limiting the Wildcats to 30 fewer points than they scored before Christmas.

He would stay that way, rising for the shot that lifted North Carolina into a second consecutive Final Four while exponentially increasing the size of his cheering section. The sophomore from Huntersville, North Carolina, knocked it down for the win with his feet on the 3-point line. Monk’s 3 was incredible, such a tough shot, and probably could have been an and1, but I get the no call in that situation.

The Tar Heels have played in 19 Final Fours, more than any other team.

The Gamecocks have found much greater flow and have just started making shots on a more consistent basis with head coach Frank Martin (who has done another outstanding job) allowing this team to be more assertive and aggressive with the basketball. It shows that all of us care and we wanted to win. Junior guard Joel Berry II said last season helped the Tar Heels know what it takes to play at this stage.

“People are more cautious this year”, Cox said.”It’s like everyone is holding their breath to see if the other shoe’s going to drop”.

SCOUTING REPORT: “I thought there were teams that maybe could take advantage of (7-foot-1, 300-pound center Przemek) Karnowski by getting him in high ball screens, and teams have tried to do that, but they haven’t been able to do it consistently”. “I was bad. I would have sure hated to coach me”. “Plays needed to be made down the stretch and I stepped up and made plays”. By experience, that makes them the biggest challengers to the Tar Heels. They want to be pushed.

The loss left De’Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo weeping side by side in the Kentucky locker room. Two, possibly three, of these players will forego their college eligibility and turn pro.

“We’re spoiled”, said Patrick Cox, a self-described UNC “super fan” who was on hand to welcome the team back to Chapel Hill at 12:45 a.m. Monday morning.

A few years ago at a basketball game, OR held “Uncle Phil Appreciation Night” for Knight’s 76th birthday.

UK’s leader, Isaiah Briscoe, had eight assists in 34 minutes and was a steadying presence throughout. No one says a word.

If you’re searching for a team to support at the University of Phoenix Stadium, consider the Zags – but not because they’re the lovable Cinderella. “This has been a fun ride”.

North Carolina’s Kennedy Meeks, right, listens as Luke Maye, left, is interviewed after North Carolina beat Kentucky in the South Regional final game in the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 26, 2017, in Memphis, .

Williams said he wouldn’t expect players from any of the teams to have difficulty adjusting to the environment. “Thankful to be here”. “I love my brothers, man”. “This is a family. I just wish we could have played the first half with a full roster”.

The point guard picked up two early fouls and had just five points at halftime.

Over the past year, North Carolina has suffered financial hits ranging from scuttled plans for a PayPal facility that would have added an estimated $2.66 billion to the state’s economy to a canceled Ringo Starr concert that deprived a town’s amphitheater of about $33,000 in revenue. Jordan Bell has been one of the best big men in the tournament, and guard Tyler Dorsey is sizzling. “That’s what Coach Smith did, and that’s what I do”.

When John Calipari’s Kentucky teams have lost in the NCAA tournament, it’s always because some nightmare came home to roost.

“When he sets a screen, most of the time (defenders) are hedging long”, Jackson said.