[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2710″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear”]After a thrilling game decided at the buzzer the protagonists reacted in many different ways, and it was to be expected. Villanova players were of course overjoyed while North Carolina players saw their dream slip away after Marcus Paige tied the game on an impossible shot. We gathered the most important statement from coaches and players for you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2713″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear”]Jay Wright can not believe what happened:
“It is still surreal. I don’t think I’ve really digested this yet, I’m still in my coaching mind… I don’t think this has hit me yet. It’s amazing. It’s amazing to be out there watching ‘One Shining Moment,’ standing up on the stage, seeing those kids cut down the net. I don’t really think I have the words to explain it”.
Coach Wright also had some classy words for UNC program:
“That was one of the great college basketball games we’ve ever been a part of,” Wright said. “We didn’t just beat a great team, but a great program, classy program and before they determined that shot was good Roy came right up to me and said I’m really disappointed for our guys, it was a great game, but I’m really happy for you. I know he meant that”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear”]On his relationship with the players:
“You’re like a parent when you’re a coach. I just couldn’t be prouder, couldn’t be happier to see them enjoy this and fulfill their dreams,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about for a coach, just to see their eyes, to see their satisfaction, their enjoyment. There’s no better feeling in the world for a coach or a parent”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear”]Coach Roy Williams was in a very different mood after the game:
“I’m not very good because I can’t take away the hurt, I told them I loved them. I told them I wish I could have helped them more”
And he gave this quote which many coaches might repeat in the future:
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2716″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear”]“The difference between winning and losing in college basketball is so small. The difference in your feelings is so large. But that’s the NCAA Tournament. That’s college basketball”.
He finished with a few words on Marcus Paige and his desire to win:
“I’ve never coached anybody that tried to will things to happen even when he wasn’t playing as well as he could play”
And of course the player celebrated or showed their sadness in different ways.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2718″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear”]First, Marcus Paige and his feeling about the last 5 seconds of the game:
“I told my teammates, ‘If we can defend for five seconds, we will for sure win this game’”.
And he tried to explain what it means to lost the national championship like this:
“When you’re a kid growing up you don’t dream of missing the last second shot or you don’t dream of a team beating you at the buzzer, You dream of having that moment, that confetti, seeing your family over there crying tears of joy, hugging the guys you gave blood, sweat and tears with for four years. That’s what you dream of. And we were this close to that dream”.
His teammate Joel Berry was as effective in trying to explain the hurt:
“Feeling the confetti fall and knowing it’s not for you is just an awful feeling”.
And sophomore Justin Jackson as well:
“Just like you can’t really describe the feeling of winning, you can’t really describe the hurt that goes with losing a game like that”.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2720″ css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear”]Of course the Wildcats player were euphoric. Ryan Arcidiacono was awed by the outcome:
“I can’t believe that went in. Unbelievable”.
And he enjoyed it so much he offered to stay one more year despite being a senior:
“I’ll stay another year if you want me to”.
Arcidiacono received some well deserved praise from his teammates, starting withKris Jenkins who was on the receiving end of Arcidiacono last assist in college basketball:
“I was open and was screaming at him. For him to be so unselfish and give me the ball shows what type of teammates and person he is”.
Coach Wright chimed in as well on how important Aricidiacono was for the team:
“You have to have a guy that you trust to make the right decision, not be selfish, want to be the star himself — and that’s Ryan,” Wright said. “You got to have a guy that can make the shot, be smart enough to know where everybody is going to be and also be a guy that can make free throws if he gets fouled. That’s Ryan”.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2722″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row]