Eric SorensonNorth Carolina’s Hubert Davis and Sean May are just living right. Each have experienced the Final Four as Tar Heel players, now Davis, an assistant coach for Roy Williams and May, UNC’s Director of Player Personnel, have been able to share their experiences with current players as the Heels arrived in Glendale the favorite by many to cut down the nets Monday night at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
“They’ve just been saying play it like a normal game, don’t be too overwhelmed,” South Region Most Outstanding Player Luke Maye said Thursday. “Just play with the same poise and the same energy you do every single game.”
May was named the 2005 Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading UNC to a National Championship, while Davis was a member of the Heels’ 1991 Final Four squad who lost to Kansas, coincidentally coached by Williams.
“Those guys know what it takes to get here,” said senior forward Kennedy Meeks. “So why not take their advice and try to get to that same [place].”
The big stage #GetIntoIt #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/nKY4yVDNSu
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 30, 2017
While many of the Carolina regulars were a part of last year’s team which lost a heartbreaker to Villanova 77-74 in the title game, most collectively said they still enjoy the mentoring of the staff members who continue to keep their minds right heading into the weekend.
Coach Williams goes over the Thought of the Day at today’s practice at the #FinalFour #GetIntoIt pic.twitter.com/blCgwPRnd9
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 30, 2017
Davis believes there’s a balancing act of enjoying your time and experience on the main stage, while also focusing on basketball and bringing home another national championship to Chapel Hill, as well.
“I’ve got butterflies right now,” he said to Sports360AZ.com Thursday afternoon. “It’s not a nervousness, it’s an excitement of knowing that you’re going to be a participant of something that’s really special. It’s an honor and a privilege to be out there.”
While May has yet to arrive in the Valley as his wife is due to give birth to their third child any day, Davis is remembering to take to soak it all in…again.
“Whether you’re a player or a coach, having a chance to be in a Final Four is something I will always remember.”
North Carolina and Oregon will start 40 minutes following the conclusion of Gonzaga vs. South Carolina which is scheduled to tip-off at 3:09 on Saturday afternoon.
