North Carolina vs Georgetown
Two teams with history meet to decide who goes to Atlanta
Roy Williams and the Tar Heels hope to win another National Title, their second in three years, while the Hoyas are hoping to regain some of that luster from the 80s
The North Carolina Tar Heels and the Georgetown Hoyas prepare for a showdown on Sunday as both teams are fighting for the right to play in the Final Four in Atlanta, next weekend.
History
For the Tar Heels, a victory would bring them to their second Final Four, under Head Coach Roy Williams. Williams led the Tar Heels to a National Title victory over Illinois in 2005. A National Championship this year makes it two in the last three years for Williams and the Tar Heels.
For Georgetown, a victory on Sunday puts the Hoyas in the Final Four for the first time since the 80s, when they were coached by John Thompson. You’re probably thinking John Thompson is coaching the Hoyas now.
The current coach of the Hoyas, John Thompson III, is the son of legendary Hoyas Coach John Thompson Jr., who coached the team during their heyday in the 80s, appearing in several Final Fours, winning one National Title in 1984.
Thompson Jr. had the opportunity to coach Patrick Ewing. Wait a minute, there’s a player named Patrick Ewing on this year’s Hoyas squad. Patrick Ewing Jr., a junior forward, is one of the Hoyas bigger stars.
Road to this game
After winning the ACC Title and claiming the #1 seed in the East Rutherford region, the Tar Heels made quick work of Eastern Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA tournament. After a close battle early on, the Tar Heels broke away from the Michigan State Spartans and made another Sweet 16.
Their regional semifinal game against the USC Trojans wasn’t easy. The Tar Heels were as far back as 16 points in the second half, but came back and defeated the Trojans to make their appearance in the Elite Eight on Sunday.
After winning the Big East Championship, the #2 seeded Hoyas took care of Belmont in the first round. In the second round, they defeated former Big East foe, Boston College.
The Hoyas then faced a dark horse in Vanderbilt. It was a back-and-forth game between both teams as a missed traveling call at the end of the game helped the Hoyas advance to the Elite Eight to take on the Tar Heels.
Keys to the game
Both teams have played each other in the Tournament before. Most notably in 1982, when an unknown player named Michael Jordan, helped the Tar Heels win a National Title.
This time is different though, as forward Tyler Hansbrough leads this young Tar Heels squad. It’s up to him and freshmen guard, Ty Lawson to bring Roy Williams and the Tar Heels back to the Final Four.
For the Hoyas, it’s up to Roy Hibbert and Big East Player of the Year, Jeff Green, to have big games on Sunday if they want to make the Final Four.
