UNC Basketball: The Biggest NCAA Tournament Moments under Roy Williams
By Chris Ward
2017
The Tar Heels entered the year losing both Paige and Johnson to graduation, but returned Joel Berry, Theo Pinson, Justin Jackson, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks and Nate Britt.
They welcomed in a 2016 recruiting class that had Tony Bradley Jr., Seventh Woods and Brandon Robinson.
Going into the year, one thing was on their mind: Redemption. But they had a long, memorable road to getting there.
Tar Heels make a run to advance to the Sweet 16
Fast forward about a year from Paige’s shot. One thing is on every player’s and every fan’s mind: redemption.
After an easy first game vs Texas Southern, Arkansas was next on the docket for UNC. The Heels came out firing early and pushed the lead to as much as 17 in the first half until letting Arkansas make a run and cut the lead to five heading into halftime.
The Razorbacks continued to push early in the second half and eventually took the lead with 13 minutes to go. The Tar Heels were making shots but Arkansas had an answer to every bucket and eventually pushed the lead to five with 3:31 left in the game.
That was the last time Arkansas would score. UNC put down the clamps defensively and finished the game on a 12-0 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
Luke Maye
There’s not much else to say about this one. If you’re a Tar Heel you understand. Kentucky vs North Carolina in the Elite Eight was the game of the tournament.
Two college hoops powerhouses battling it out for a trip to the Final Four. Although there was five future first-round draft picks combined, the game came down to two unlikely heroes.
Kentucky reserve Isaac Humphries had 12 points for the Wildcats after averaging only 2.8 for the season. In many games that would have been the X-Factor needed to win this kind of game.
Of course, UNC’s reserve had just a little more in the tank. Luke Maye, after averaging 5.5 points per game, went for 17 and hit one of the biggest shots in the history of North Carolina basketball.
The South Region’s Most Outstanding Player may not have scored in the Final Four, but his name was forever in North Carolina basketball lore (before we even know what his 2018 season would bring).