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NCAA Tournament 2017: 15 best moments

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players hoist the national championship trophy after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players hoist the national championship trophy after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) bring the national championship trophy after the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) bring the national championship trophy after the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. North Carolina avenges last year’s loss by raising the trophy

While the 2017 National Final was marred by ugly play and poor officiating overall, it at least provided a close finish and fantastic storyline with North Carolina earning redemption for last year’s heartbreaker.

The championship game looked quite intriguing on paper, as the tradition-rich Tar Heels took on a Gonzaga team that was not an underdog despite making its first Final Four appearance. Gonzaga was ready to go early, as 13 points from Josh Perkins helped the Bulldogs go up 30-23 late in the first.

Just like in the semifinal against Oregon, the Tar Heels sandwiched a huge run around the halftime break and took a 40-35 lead at the 17:40 mark, but Gonzaga remained calm and was back in front a minute later. That should have set up a thrilling finish, but the officials suddenly started calling everything, leading to both teams being in the bonus with 14 minutes left and several key players sitting with foul trouble.

After a stretch of agonizing offense mixed in with poor free throw shooting, the game was tied at 65 with 1:40 to go. Gonzaga fell apart over the last 27 seconds, as a Kennedy Meeks block, Justin Jackson breakaway slam, and Bulldogs errant pass sealed the 71-65 title game win.

The championship run was about more than just one moment for Roy Williams and the Tar Heels, who managed to recover from last year’s agonizing championship defeat at the buzzer.

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