After all the brackets, the odds, the upsets, and games, the biggest game of them all is finally here. Gonzaga and North Carolina are the two teams left, battling for the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship on Monday night. Both teams had to fight through adversity to get to this point, and they are now 40 minutes away from reaching the peak of the mountain. For Gonzaga, it will be finally getting that elusive championship. For North Carolina, it will be redemption for last year's heartbreak. Who has the edge in the final game, what does each team need to do in order to host that trophy?
Let's take a look at both of the teams.
North Carolina: Road to Redemption
North Carolina is coming into the game with familiarity about the big stage. They were in the same position last year, but they got the heartbreak end of the deal, losing to Villanova on a last second bucket. But they are back again, and hoping for a different outcome. North Carolina is a team full of experienced players, led by seniors Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson. Both players were Wooden Award candidates throughout the entire NCAA season, leading the Tarheels to a 37-2 record. They have had a size advantage against most of their opponents, playing a what is now seen as retro-style of basketball, scoring most of their points inside.
In the Championship Game, they will need to play inside, but also spread the floor. With Gonzaga being big on the inside, it will be tough to get shots of Karnowski and company. North Carolina has to also make sure Joel Berry is ok to play, as he is playing on two injured ankles. Adrenaline and guts is what he'll be playing on, and he will need help from Jackson as well.
They will need to shoot the ball better, as UNC shot under 40 percent from the field vs. Oregon. Gonzaga will be ready to play, but the experience of North Carolina might be a factor in determining their fate in the title game.
Gonzaga: First Timers
Gonzaga has been a school that has always been dominant, but couldn't get to the Final Four.
They were always overshadowed with memories of heartbreak losses, and the "so close, but so far" mentality. This year however, everything came together, and they are now in the championship game. They have a 58.8 percent chance to win according to ESPN BPI (Basketball Power Index). Led by their point guard Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga has made it to the championship game with a 37-1 record. They have big post players in side that can dominate a game, just like UNC. This will be an old school kind of game.
Gonzaga will need to get Przemek Karnowski involved early if they want the advantage early. Karnowksi is a big man, and he will force UNC to double him if he gets going, opening up opportunities for his outside scorers, Karnowski was in foul trouble in their last game, so he will need to make sure he can play all game if needed, watching the fouls he commits.
Nigel Williams-Goss will need to step up once again, and lead his team to another win. Gonzaga has the size to overpower UNC inside, but it will be their adjustments to UNC's defense collapsing inside is what could determine Gonzaga's fate.
The game can be caught on CBS around 9:20 p.m. This game will be a great game, as two schools with an old school style of play take it to the court for one final time. This NCAA basketball season has been full of surprises and intense games, and fans will be treated to one more game to hold them over to next season.
