Luke Maye Sends North Carolina To The Final Four In Phoenix

A season ago North Carolina lost in the national title game against Villanova on a buzzer beater by Kris Jenkins, This year they're back in the final four thanks to Luke Maye who hit a shot with 0.3 seconds left to edge Kentucky 75-73 and and improve North Carolina's record to 31-7. 

North Carolina took control with 12 straight points over the final 5 minutes, a run similar to what it used a week ago to beat Arkansas. The Tar Heels finished this game with a 16-9 run. Kentucky's freshmen De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk hit three quick 3s, the last two by Monk. Monk's second shot with 7.2 seconds left and defenders in his face tied it up at 73. "according to http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211534738&_ga=1.125444426.1127014109.1470754128

Theo Pinson brought the ball down and passed back to Maye. The sophomore from Huntersville, North Carolina, knocked it down for the win with his feet on the 3-point line. "according to http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211534738&_ga=1.125444426.1127014109.1470754128

"I'm the guy that wanted him to come as a walk-on, so how dumb am I?" Williams said. "He (made) some big-time plays today, big-time plays two days ago." "according to http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211534738&_ga=1.125444426.1127014109.1470754128

Maye finished with 17 points off the bench for North Carolina. Justin Jackson scored 19 points, and Joel Berry added 11. "according to http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211534738&_ga=1.125444426.1127014109.1470754128

Kentucky meanwhile finishes their season with a record of 32-6 and for the second straight year, John Calipari's team will not make it to the final four. 

Kentucky had hoped their talented freshmen would carry them. Bam Adebayo and Fox each had 13 points, and Monk, the Southeastern Conference player of the year, finished with 12. "according to http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211534738&_ga=1.125444426.1127014109.1470754128

Never before had the NCAA Tournament pitted powerhouse programs that have so dominated March. This South final featured Kentucky with the most tournament wins all-time with 124 and North Carolina just behind with 120. "according to http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211534738&_ga=1.125444426.1127014109.1470754128

But this was just the fourth time these blue bloods have met in a regional final. The result was much the same as the others with North Carolina now 3-1 against Kentucky as the Tar Heels avenged a 103-100 loss on Dec. 17 in Las Vegas. "according to http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211534738&_ga=1.125444426.1127014109.1470754128

Kentucky led for only 3:57 in a game North Carolina had a big edge on the boards (44-34) and inside where the Tar Heels outscored the Wildcats 34-26. "according to http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211534738&_ga=1.125444426.1127014109.1470754128

North Carolina will take on Oregon who advanced to the final four by defeating Kansas 74-60 on Saturday, April 1st in Glendale Arizona. Tip-off is set for 8:49 pm from the University Of Phoenix Stadium home of the NFL West member the Arizona Cardinals. The game will be televised on CBS. "according to http://www.goducks.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=323