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UNC Edges Illinois to Give Williams First NCAA Title
Of course, there was no way it was going to be easy. North Carolina did it, though, and now it's time to stop asking Roy Williams that doggone question.
Sean May had 26 points and the Tar Heels didn't allow a basket over the final, excruciating 2 1/2 minutes Monday night to defeat Illinois 75-70, a win that finally gave Williams, the 17-year coaching veteran, the national championship that was missing from his otherwise stellar resume.
Freshman Marvin Williams had a tip-in with 1:26 left, Raymond Felton made three free throws down the stretch and the Tar Heels (33-4) won their first title since 1993, back when Dean Smith was coaching and Williams was at Kansas, in the middle of his Final Four futility.
Led by May's 10-for-11 shooting, Carolina took a 65-55 lead with 8:51 left and it looked like Williams would cruise to the championship. But Illinois (37-2) never quits.
Forward Jack Ingram hit a pair of outside jumpers and Dee Brown scored six points as part of a 10-0 run that tied the game at 65 with 5 1/2 minutes left to set up a fantastic finish.
When it was over - after Felton had made his last two free throws, after May had cradled his ninth and final rebound - Williams took off his glasses and started looking for people to hug.
A few moments later, he was crying, much like has at the end of every season - though no ending has been as sweet as this one.
Source: AP
Sean May had 26 points and the Tar Heels didn't allow a basket over the final, excruciating 2 1/2 minutes Monday night to defeat Illinois 75-70, a win that finally gave Williams, the 17-year coaching veteran, the national championship that was missing from his otherwise stellar resume.
Freshman Marvin Williams had a tip-in with 1:26 left, Raymond Felton made three free throws down the stretch and the Tar Heels (33-4) won their first title since 1993, back when Dean Smith was coaching and Williams was at Kansas, in the middle of his Final Four futility.
Led by May's 10-for-11 shooting, Carolina took a 65-55 lead with 8:51 left and it looked like Williams would cruise to the championship. But Illinois (37-2) never quits.
Forward Jack Ingram hit a pair of outside jumpers and Dee Brown scored six points as part of a 10-0 run that tied the game at 65 with 5 1/2 minutes left to set up a fantastic finish.
When it was over - after Felton had made his last two free throws, after May had cradled his ninth and final rebound - Williams took off his glasses and started looking for people to hug.
A few moments later, he was crying, much like has at the end of every season - though no ending has been as sweet as this one.
Source: AP