By Mark Alewine Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. — Nigel Williams-Goss crouched in the south end of the court, staring at the floor. He was alone, his freshly-sprained ankle throbbing in pain, while North Carolina celebrated on the opposite side of the floor. Just 7.2 seconds remained in Gonzaga’s magical season, and in a …
Read MoreGonzaga (37-1) vs. North Carolina (32-7) Colton Bennett: Keys for North Carolina North Carolina will need Joel Berry II to play like he did against Butler when he scored 26-points on 8-13 shooting. He can’t have another 2-14 game like he did in the semi-final against Oregon. Kennedy Meeks and the rest of Tar Heel …
Read MoreBy Colton Bennett Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. – This North Carolina team insists it is not looking for revenge. The Tar Heels aren’t seeking to exorcise last year’s demons. They want to win the national title, plain and simple. Last year, North Carolina’s dreams of a title were ended by the simple flick …
Read MoreThe scene in the Oregon locker room will stay with me for a long time. Their season suddenly over, the Ducks were coping with the strange reality of how it had ended on Saturday night. With 5.8 seconds remaining and North Carolina’s lead down to a single point, Kennedy Meeks of the Tar Heels stepped …
Read MoreBy Mark Alewine Sports Capital Journalism Center GLENDALE, Ariz. — The McCarthey Athletic Center is the 148,000 square foot home of Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball on the campus in Spokane, Wash. When the Zags are in town, it needs every square inch to contain the Kennel Club. “Most of the fun stuff we do involves half …
Read MoreBy Colton Bennett Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kennedy Meeks saved the season for North Carolina. Right after nearly losing it. In the final breathless seconds of a game that could end his team’s season, after four straight missed free throws – two by Meeks — with the Tar Heel lead down to …
Read MoreSouth Carolina (26-10) vs. Gonzaga (36-1) Mark Alewine: Keys For Gonzaga The Bulldogs have swapped with North Carolina all season as the best team in college basketball. Gonzaga has everything to win tonight; elite shooting, dominant post presence, and one of the best defenses in the country. Everything hinges, however, on the ability of 7-1 …
Read MoreEditor’s Note: When Gonzaga University reached the 2017 Final Four, Sports Capital Journalism Program graduate student Mark Alewine explored the process that elevated the program to a national championship contender. He discovered the dramatic rise could be traced to a commitment made years earlier by a university president with a bold vision. By Mark Alewine …
Read MoreBy Colton Bennett Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. — Everything points to the Final Four matchup between Oregon and North Carolina becoming a bruising game on the inside. North Carolina (31-7) is making a record 20th Final Four appearance. The Tar Heels are averaging 39.9 points per game in the paint this season and …
Read MoreINDIANAPOLIS – Five students from the Sports Capital Journalism Program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis will cover the NCAA men’s and women’s Final Four basketball tournaments in an unprecedented series of opportunities for sports journalism students.
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