National Championship 2017, Gonzaga vs North Carolina: Highlights, score and recap

The North Carolina Tar Heels found redemption on Monday night as they outlasted Gonzaga to win the 2017 National Championship

It’s hard to get two different high-profile teams in terms of pedigree than the two that met in the 2017 National Championship game on Monday night. On one hand, the North Carolina Tar Heels were in the matchup one year ago, suffering the ultimately punch to the gut as they lost on a buzzer beater. Then there’s the Gonzaga Bulldogs, playing in their first-ever title game after making their first Final Four in school history. It was a clash between two different pedigrees, but also a clash between two deserving programs.

Out of the gate, it seemed like the Zags might be a team of destiny. Their offense was working in spite of Przemek Karnowski struggling on that end, largely thanks to their outside shooting. Moreover, their defense was stifling. The Tar Heels were unable to find their rhythm on the perimeter and, though they were rebounding predictably well, they were also not making shots on the interior.

However, things took a bad turn for the Bulldogs as their host of big men started getting in foul trouble. The over-zealous group of officials put Karnowski and freshman Zach Collins, among others, in a bad spot in terms of their foul situations. Thanks to that and a big defensive effort from North Carolina, the Zags only went into halftime with a three-point lead, 35-32.

Out of the locker room, though, the Heels undoubtedly turned up the defensive intensity. They locked the Bulldogs up in a ridiculous way, surprisingly so too considering the overall terrible officiating and how it disrupted the flow of the game. Their offense, though, continued to be problematic for them. They were still unable to make shots and still unable to really pull away.

That then allowed for some heroics to start taking place. Gonzaga star Nigel Williams-Goss hit a big 3-point attempt late in the game and then would nail two more jumpers down the stretch. That was answered, though, thanks to big buckets and plays from North Carolina’s star forward, Justin Jackson. This all set the stage for another wild finish as the Tar Heels led, 66-65, with 1:25 left on the clock.

Gonzaga had the ball and had the opportunity to come up with what would’ve been a massive bucket. Instead, Williams-Goss–who injured his ankle mildly on the previous play–came up short on a jumper. Carolina also missed a jumper from Berry on the ensuing play, but tied up a loose ball and won possession back with about 50 seconds left on the ticker. Sure enough, that opened the door for UNC. They got the ball to senior big man Isaiah Hicks, who’d been coming up big all game, and he backed his man down, turned and went up with an awkward shot that he got to fall off the glass.

The Zags looked to Williams-Goss on the ensuing play, but Kennedy Meeks rose up and stuffed the attempt. North Carolina got the possession and Joel Berry threw it ahead to a breaking Jackson, who slammed it home. In a rush, the Bulldogs threw the ball deep, but it was picked off again by the Tar Heels, causing the Zags to foul down by five. Berry sunk one of the free throws, and then the Bulldogs missed their final desperation attempt.

North Carolina got the rebound and watched the clock hit triple-zeroes. Redemption was spelled U-N-C in Phoenix on Monday night with the 70-65 win, capturing Roy Williams third National Championship.

Next: 28 Most Memorable Buzzer Beaters in March Madness History

Highlights

https://twitter.com/marchmadness/status/849092648078110720

Three Stars

Joel Berry II, North Carolina – Hardly efficient with his shooting, Berry came up big at point guard for the Heels. Despite playing with an injured ankle, he came up huge. He finished with 22 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals.

Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga – Also inefficient, the star guard still came up huge and put up a massive effort. He finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Isaiah Hicks, North Carolina – His statline wasn’t overly impressive, but he hit what ultimately sealed a title for the Tar Heels. Hicks finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.