NCAA Championship: Roy Williams speaks at pre-championship press conference

Roy Williams speaks in Sunday’s pre-championship game press conference

North Carolina is less than 24 hours away from meeting Gonzaga in the 2017 National Championship Game.

On Sunday afternoon, head coach Roy Williams spoke to the media about a plethora of topics including the matchup with Gonzaga, his relationship with Kennedy Meeks and the impact of NCAA allegations.

Williams opened up the press conference by stating that he was ecstatic to still be in the tournament at this point, and fortunate to be in it after missing four straight free throws at a crucial point in the Tar Heels’ Final Four game against Oregon.

Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) brings down a rebound ahead of Oregon Ducks forward Jordan Bell (1) during the second half in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Williams was asked about the low post matchup of Kennedy Meeks and Przemek Karnowski and if it has a bit of a throwback feeling to it.

"“A very big low post matchup,” Williams said. “You know, it’s strange, and Mark and I were talking about it a few minutes ago, that all year long we’ve had to send our big guys out on the court to play against all those screen and pop guys that want to shoot 3-point shots and how comfortable when you have to tell Kennedy and Karnowski that you don’t have to do it that this game.Most of us play most of the time with two post players and enjoy getting the ball inside, enjoy shooting 3-point shots, but also have the first option of going inside. In that sense, it will be something we haven’t done a lot of this year.But he’s a big fellow. I just shook his hand a few minutes ago, and he just engulfed mine and I’ve been around some big guys before, but he’s a big dude. Really gifted, really gifted in how he passes the ball, too.”"

He was also asked about Kennedy Meeks, who he has been admittedly hard on over the years, and how their relationship has evolved over time.

"“It’s been love and hate,” Williams said. “And said it with tongue in cheek kind of thing. Because I’ve been on him really hard. I really have. I probably say I’ve been on Kennedy and Brice harder than any players I’ve ever coached. I’d say Brice number one and Kennedy number two.I pushed him last night, took him out for three or four minutes, didn’t like one thing he was doing. But keep pushing him, keep pushing him, keep pushing him. I can’t say that I’ve got one story, because he’s just a lovable, big teddy bear. . .And he keeps coming back, keeps coming back, keeps coming back, and I keep pushing him, keep pushing him. And hopefully at the end we’ll both look back on it and think it’s been a great partnership.”"

And in a change of pace that brought up a tired and familiar topic, the Hall-of-Fame coach was asked about the NCAA allegations swirling around the university and the impact that they’ve had on recruiting.

Williams patiently and routinely answered the series of questions in the same manner in which he has done so for the last three years.

Specifically, he was asked how concerned he is that innocent players and coaches will end up taking the brunt of penalties that they had nothing to do with.

"“Not a lot,” Williams said. “And the reason I say that is because my firm belief that we did nothing wrong. Okay. And that’s just the best way to put it. Were there some mistakes made? You’re darned right there were. Were there some things I wish hadn’t happened? You’re darned right. But there were no allegations against men’s basketball.So I’ve sort of hung my hat on that part, and I know we did nothing wrong. And I find it hard to believe that it could go that far. Do I believe again that our institution, there were some mistakes, you’re darned right I do. I’m very mad, sad, ticked off, any way you want to put all that terminology about it, embarrassed and all those things, too.But we’ve received a tremendous amount of hurt already over the last three years. And I don’t see Jeff in here, but last night he asked me if I thought it was any benefit from having to go through this junk. And I just had a difficult time understanding that, because for three years it’s been very difficult to recruit and do a lot of other things.”"

On Monday night, Gonzaga looks to make history by winning its first ever NCAA Tournament championship.

The Tar Heels seek redemption by avenging last season’s painful loss and adding to their already illustrious history.

North Carolina plays Gonzaga at 9:20 ET Monday night on CBS.

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