The Tarheels and the Cosmic IOU
The universe owed them one. Rarely has a team gone from high to low so quickly in an NCAA Tournament championship game than the North Carolina Tarheels did a year ago. A miracle shot, with four seconds left tied the game, and brought fans to their feet. In a blink, Villanova answered. Kris Jenkins hit a buzzer-beating three pointer, simultaneously creating an all-time great moment in sports, winning Villanova's first championship in over 30 years, and ripping the collective hearts out of North Carolina basketball.
Joel Berry remembered. He stood just a few feet from Jenkins as he launched that fateful shot. He could only watch as it went over his head, toward destiny. He returned this year, looking for redemption.
Justin Jackson remembered. Like Berry, he was on the court when "The Shot" went down. He seemed destined to leave for the NBA after his sophomore season. The former top recruit stayed, though, looking for another chance.
Kennedy Meeks remembered. He wasn't on the floor, but his heart was just as shattered after Jenkins' shot. He nearly went pro as well, but withdrew his name, and returned for one last run.
This season didn't begin with North Carolina as favorites. Even with a deep team, with loads of both talent and size, analysts doted on Duke, Kentucky, and UCLA, among others. Losing to Kentucky, and two out of three to Duke didn't help their perception, but they still managed to win the ACC and draw a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tarheels fought their way into the elite eight, and a rematch with Kentucky, with a trip to the Final Four on the line. It was every bit the titanic battle that everyone predicted. North Carolina held a lead for much of the game, but the Wildcats bounced back. Momentum became a pendulum over the final ten minutes. Kentucky jumped up by five, followed by a Tarheel run to go up five. The final minute was an emotional roller-coaster for both sides. The kids from the Bluegrass state refused to go quietly, and just when it seems like they were done, they started hitting shots, capped by a Malik Monk three pointer that defied the odds, and tied the game. It had to be throwback for Carolina fans, who had witnessed their own miracle a season ago, only to see it dashed seconds later. UNC proceeded to complete the flashback, dashing up the court, and finding an open Luke Maye, who crushed Kentucky fans' hopes in the same way they saw their own souls stolen last year.
North Carolina and Kentucky played one of the greatest games of this season. It's a shame that there had to be a loser, but such is the way of March Madness. North Carolina plays on, with Berry, Jackson, and Meeks looking to atone for last years heartbreak.
As for Kentucky, they get to think about what could have been. The players will likely move on, many to NBA careers. The fans will have a harder time of it. Like the Tarheels a year ago, they'll spend the off-season re-living those final seconds, wondering what might have been. But, like the victors today, there's optimism for next season to be had. The Wildcats will be back, and now the universe owes them one.
Joel Berry remembered. He stood just a few feet from Jenkins as he launched that fateful shot. He could only watch as it went over his head, toward destiny. He returned this year, looking for redemption.
Justin Jackson remembered. Like Berry, he was on the court when "The Shot" went down. He seemed destined to leave for the NBA after his sophomore season. The former top recruit stayed, though, looking for another chance.
Kennedy Meeks remembered. He wasn't on the floor, but his heart was just as shattered after Jenkins' shot. He nearly went pro as well, but withdrew his name, and returned for one last run.
This season didn't begin with North Carolina as favorites. Even with a deep team, with loads of both talent and size, analysts doted on Duke, Kentucky, and UCLA, among others. Losing to Kentucky, and two out of three to Duke didn't help their perception, but they still managed to win the ACC and draw a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tarheels fought their way into the elite eight, and a rematch with Kentucky, with a trip to the Final Four on the line. It was every bit the titanic battle that everyone predicted. North Carolina held a lead for much of the game, but the Wildcats bounced back. Momentum became a pendulum over the final ten minutes. Kentucky jumped up by five, followed by a Tarheel run to go up five. The final minute was an emotional roller-coaster for both sides. The kids from the Bluegrass state refused to go quietly, and just when it seems like they were done, they started hitting shots, capped by a Malik Monk three pointer that defied the odds, and tied the game. It had to be throwback for Carolina fans, who had witnessed their own miracle a season ago, only to see it dashed seconds later. UNC proceeded to complete the flashback, dashing up the court, and finding an open Luke Maye, who crushed Kentucky fans' hopes in the same way they saw their own souls stolen last year.
North Carolina and Kentucky played one of the greatest games of this season. It's a shame that there had to be a loser, but such is the way of March Madness. North Carolina plays on, with Berry, Jackson, and Meeks looking to atone for last years heartbreak.
As for Kentucky, they get to think about what could have been. The players will likely move on, many to NBA careers. The fans will have a harder time of it. Like the Tarheels a year ago, they'll spend the off-season re-living those final seconds, wondering what might have been. But, like the victors today, there's optimism for next season to be had. The Wildcats will be back, and now the universe owes them one.
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