• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
College Magazine logo

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
    • Find Your College
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
Home » Latest Posts » The Tar Heels Can Finally Breathe After Their March Madness Redemption
Sports

The Tar Heels Can Finally Breathe After Their March Madness Redemption

Facebook Tweet
Kristan Bravo   April 6, 2017

No place in the world feels as happy as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill right now. The Tar Heels cut down the nets in Phoenix after a thrilling victory for the NCAA title over Gonzaga University. Now that March Madness 2017 ended, UNC fans can finally exhale. Who doesn’t relate to the feeling of picking yourself up after you fall?

After losing the final game to Villanova University one year ago, fans and players have been waiting for a long time for redemption. They were ecstatic to see Justin Jackson complete the go-ahead three-point play that the Heels didn’t look back from. UNC’s storybook run has healed all wounds inflicted by Kris Jenkins and his miraculous three-point shot in the finals for Nova in 2016. Their victory this year seemed like destiny.

UNC junior Kristen Luft watched the game at a friend’s apartment when the Tar Heels won the game. “Everyone was screaming and running down the stairs to run to Franklin Street,” said Luft. “Rooting for your school with so many other people is one of the coolest feelings in the world. It’s a moment where you feel really alive, and even though you’re surrounded by thousands of strangers, you feel so much more bonded to your school.”

UNC junior Matt Sclafani made the trip out to Phoenix to see the game in person. “Everyone there knew that they were witnessing something special, something they’d tell their children about one day,” said Sclafani. “It’s definitely an experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Sophomore Elizabeth Jackson was at the game as well. “Obviously, no one wanted a repeat of last years’ loss, so everyone was on edge pretty much the whole time,” said Jackson. “In that moment where we sealed the victory, everyone lost their minds. I was jumping and screaming and nearly crying, and people were packed up at the front of the student section trying to get as close to the court as possible.”

Rebekah Escala has been a UNC fan her whole life. “[My mom] spent most of her teenage years and beyond in North Carolina, so it was inevitable for her to start liking either UNC or Duke. She chose the good guys…When I was growing up, it felt like UNC basketball was always on the television. So I grew up loving them too. Tar Heel born, Tar Heel bred,” said Escala. “When that final buzzer went off and the confetti came down in UNC’s favor this time, I actually started sobbing because I realized just how big that moment was. Those players were finally getting the ring they nearly had last year.”


trending

307

10 Student Organizations Breaking the Mold at Berkeley

231

The Teacher I Hated Changed my College Journey

168

Top 10 Spots Around Emerson College to Get Inspired


UNC was led by Joel Berry II who scored 22 points in the 71-65 win in Phoenix for all the marbles. Berry requested a timeout before shooting free throws towards the end of the game to get a hold on his emotions. On top of winning the national championship, the NCAA crowned Berry the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Isaiah Hicks and Justin Jackson were also key to sealing the victory for the Heels.

“When Hicks made that ridiculous shot within the last minute, everyone got really excited. But when Jackson dunked it, that excitement turned into insanity,” said Jackson.

After the win, the Heels acted extremely graciously to Gonzaga. The team definitely gave them a run for their money. In turn, the Gonzaga fans graciously accepted defeat.  “All of the Zag fans I ran into congratulated us on our win and were very kind. I felt bad because they came so close to winning,” said Jackson.

Clearly a very talented group, Gonzaga wouldn’t surprise anyone by making their own redemption run for the title next year.

About Kristan Bravo

I am a junior studying broadcast journalism at American University. I am obsessed with my dog and would die to see the Mets win the World Series.

En Garde! Zorro Got Nothing on Me

10 College Road Trip Ideas for Basketball Fans

stanford tree

The Most Outrageous Official College Mascots of 2021

inspirational speeches from movies like rocky balboa keep you going

10 Best Inspirational Speeches from Your Favorite Sports Movies

ivy league

Which Ivy League School Has the Most Dominant Sports Teams? 

Manchester United

Soccer 101: CM’s Guide to the English Premier League

College Magazine’s Top 10 Colleges for Sports Law for 2020

hands on the uneven bars

Top 10 Collegiate Gymnastics Programs in the U.S.

College Magazine’s Top 10 Colleges for Snowboarders

Previous Post:National Women’s Health Network Internship
Next Post:Powerful Women Leaders: Constance Morella

colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

College Magazine logo

Copyright © 2023 Powered by BizBudding