When One Shining Moment cues up, I hope everyone takes a step back to realize how great of an NCAA Tournament this has been in 2017. Sure, we didn’t have the upsets people might have wanted in the first rounds, but there were so many good games in this span of three weeks. It all ends with Gonzaga Bulldogs looking for their first National Championship facing off against North Carolina, who is going to try and avenge last year’s National Championship defeat. It should be a hell of a game.

North Carolina is the favorite, but not by much. Tar Heels come at you in so many different ways. Joel Barry III, Kennedy Meeks and Justin Jackson can all you beat you by themselves. And Carolina has many guys who can come out of nowhere and make a difference like Luke Maye or Theo Pinson. They have so many bodies to throw an opposing team that it wears their opponents down. Gonzaga will be the biggest team they’ve faced inside which might stun some of their rebounding abilities which won them the game versus Oregon. Jackson could be the key in this one as Bulldogs’ wings don’t match up well with a guy like him. They need to make their free throws though. Usually, water finds its level when it comes to missing free throws.

Gonzaga is trying to reach the mountain top and change the outlook of college basketball in a way. If Villanova and Gonzaga both win titles without football’s help, they’re a changing of the guard in college basketball. Bulldogs, like North Carolina, can beat a team in many ways. It starts with their defense. They haven’t faced an offense like Heels. This defense will be up for a great task, but if they can keep North Carolina down, they’re winning this game. Zags offense isn’t a slouch either. Zach Collins proved to be a difference maker in the Final Four, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he does the same Monday night.

This is shaping up to be a special game. Can it top what we saw last season? Probably not. Nonetheless, I expect a great game that will go down to the wire. I’m taking Gonzaga as they’ll make one or two more plays than North Carolina.

Charlie.