Although there may be a form of dullness in realizing an expectation, it doesn’t make the achievement any less gratifying. In fact, lofty expectations are rarely yearned for out of a fear of disappointment and nothing more than an apathetic congratulation upon attainment.
North Carolina epitomizes this notion with its renowned program history and overall lack of impressiveness on the part of the public with any accomplishment less than another championship added to its well-stocked collection. Yet, although the program has long embodied on-court excellence, its current representatives have not experienced its past successes making their euphoric emotions just as genuine as any other squad's despite the prestige of its powdered blue colors.
With its dispatching of Jim Boehiem’s frisky Syracuse squad 83-66, UNC became the one title favorite to make due on its promise heading into the tournament and, in turn, vanquished another storied program whose Final Four appearance vast exceeded its originally projected finish.
Of course, Syracuse was guided to a destination in line with its program pedigree by its customary 2-3 zone defense, but it was the Carolina defense that leveled the ‘Cuse in the first half and ripped open an advantage.
Syracuse shot out to an early 13-10 lead with 14:56 left, but scored just five points in the next nine minutes of game action as North Carolina sealed off the paint forcing the Orange into clanking contested jumpers with regularity, particularly Michael Gbinije who was hounded by UNC’s Marcus Paige all night, shooting just 5-18 from the field and committing four turnovers. Paige stuck to Gbinije coming off pick-and-rolls and cut off any penetration into the paint.
Offensively, the curse of NRG Arena neutered the Tar Heels’ lead despite its defense as the team went 0-10 from 3 in the first half. However, the size, length and brute force of Carolina’s paint patrollers were not deterred with Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks earning second chance opportunities and converting dump offs from Joel Berry whose dribble penetration led to 10 assists for the game.
Along with Isaiah Hicks and Joel James the four-man Carolina frontline combined for 41 points on 18-27 shooting while scarfing up 12 offensive rebounds. Meeks and James found the soft spot in the high post of Syracuse’s 2-3 zone on multiple occasions, converting foul line jumpers, while Johnson utilized his extended vertical ceiling with devastating dunks.
Even Syracuse ramped up its pressure in an effort to recoup the mystic of its comeback win over Virginia in the Elite Eight, UNC’s overall length was too much as players such as Justin Jackson were able to pass over traps and finish at the rim, while Paige finally began to knock down some timely 3-point attempts.
North Carolina predictably overwhelmed Syracuse in the paint offensively, while its length defensively disrupted the ‘Cuse’s shooting who shot 40.9 percent and 8-25 from downtown. UNC’s victory was a reminder that expectations exist for a reason, however, it adherence to them shouldn’t make the feat an less celebratory.
