Some final thoughts, I think UNC is the better team. UNC ran cold from threes and had some terrible turnovers. If they had played like they had against Purdue I don't think this game is close. The reason this stings is because this was right there to win
Maye may have been the hero, Jackson the leading scorer, but to me the clear MVP was Meeks. He was the reason Fox had trouble driving to the hoop, and had 17 rebounds.
Will be rooting for anyone but UNC. Mostly just because I like to see teams that have never won it before (or not in 78 years) win it. But I think UNC rolls.
So looks like UK is losing 7 players (3 of them actually seniors! [two from KY who actually contributed!]). I guess Gabriel and Humphries will get minutes, but I wouldn't be shocked to see UK back to starting 5 freshman (Quade Green, Hamidou Diallo, Kevin Knox, Nick Richards, Homahed Bamba).
Also, I'm not blaming the refs...but if John Higgins never refs a UK game again in the tourney I would be quite happy...here is a complete list of games Higgins has reffed UK in the tourney
(2005 EKU 2010 Cornell)
2017 UNC
2015 Wisconsin
2011 UConn
2005 Michigan St (I don't remember any egregious calls that game, but it was 12 years ago)
That is 4 of the most painful losses in my fandom. Once again, I'm not blaming the refs. But at the same time **** that guy.