Final Four 2017, North Carolina vs Oregon: Highlights, score and recap

The North Carolina Tar Heels are headed back to the National Championship Game, where they will meet up with Gonzaga on Monday night.

For the second year in a row, the North Carolina Tar Heels will head to the National Championship Game, after beating the Oregon Ducks on Saturday night. North Carolina was just too big inside, as senior Kennedy Meeks had a career-game. The Ducks refused to go away, pulling to within one point with under ten seconds left, but in the end, the Tar Heels were able to hold on thanks to an incredible offensive rebound.

In the first half, the Ducks controlled the game for the first 15 minutes, despite turning the ball over at an alarming rate. Six minutes into the game, the score was tied 9-9, but Oregon had five turnovers against UNC’s zero. The Ducks were struggling to get their dribble drive game going against the Carolina defense, who was able to keep them in the game while their offense struggled. Oregon did not allow the Tar Heels to get into any kind of flow for most of the first half, but they finished strong to head into the locker rooms at halftime with a three-point lead.

Down 30-22,  the Tar Heels went on a 17-6 run, as they were able to hold Ducks’ star Tyler Dorsey without a field goal. In total, the Ducks made only 11 field goals in the first half, while turning the ball over 12 times. Meeks finished the half with 14 points, as he proved to be way too dominant down low against a smaller Ducks front court.

In the second half, the Tar Heels went up eight with 17:03 minutes to go, as Justin Jackson started drilling three pointers. Dorsey finally hit his first field goal with 16:43 left in the game, and would find his rhythm in the second half. With eight minutes left, the Tar Heels went up ten points, but the Ducks were far from done making this a game. Dylan Ennis was a beast for the Ducks all game long, making incredible plays on both sides of the floor.

With 1:32 left in the game, and his team down five points, Dillon Brooks fouled out. Brooks played such a huge role in the team’s Elite Eight victory against Kansas, but he struggled throughout this one. Down three, the Ducks forced a Tar Heels turnover, getting the ball back with a little over a minute left in the game. However, a missed three would get the ball back to Carolina, who would convert two free throws to go up six.

At the 0:42 second mark, the Dorsey got a sweet roll to bring the Ducks to within three, setting the stage for an incredible finish. Oregon got a great stop on the ensuing possession, forcing a tough shot by Theo Pinson, and would convert a two-point shot to pull to within one. With under six second left, Kennedy Meeks missed two free throws, though the Carolina was able to get the offensive rebound. After Joel Berry II missed his free throws, Meeks pulled down the offensive board, and the Heels were able to run out the clock.

Highlights

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Three Stars Prediction

Kennedy Meeks

Meeks had a career-game, and it was his final play that sealed the game for the Tar Heels. After missing two of his own free throws to put his team up three, Meeks was able to play the hero. Joel Berry II missed two free throws of his own after Carolina grabbed the offensive rebound, but there was Meeks, pulling down his 14th rebound to run out the clock. Meeks tied his career-high with 25 points, as Oregon really had no match for him all game long.

Dylan Ennis

The Oregon Ducks did not get much from Tyler Dorsey on this night until the second half, as he battled foul trouble. However, Dylan Ennis stepped up big time, hitting huge shots, while playing some terrific defense. He played so much bigger than his listed 6-foot-2 frame, and at times, appeared to be the only member of the Oregon team not afraid of the big moment. Ennis finished with 18 points and six rebounds, and he really played his heart out.

Justin Jackson

The Tar Heels have relied on Jackson all game long, as he was the ACC Player of the Year. On Saturday, it was Jackson once again taking over the game, hitting some clutch three pointers early in the second half to build a nice Carolina lead. Not only did he play well on offense, but he seemed to always be in the passing lanes, showing he can get it done on both sides of the floor. He is the best player remaining in the tournament, and the odds are, he will bring a title back to Chapel Hill.

Next: 12 Biggest Cinderellas in March Madness History

Next Game

The Tar Heels will head to the title game on Monday night, where they will take on fellow No. 1 seed Gonzaga. Carolina will be looking to avenge their heartbreaking loss in the final last year, when Villanova hit a game-winner with no time left on the clock. It will be Gonzaga’s first appearance in the title game, and Carolina’s experience may prove to be the difference.