University of North Carolina Athletics
Felton Carries Tar Heels In Final Minute
April 5, 2005 | Men's Basketball
April 5, 2005
ST. LOUIS - In one spectacular final minute, Raymond Felton outplayed Illinois' talented trio of guards all by himself.
The North Carolina junior made a key steal, then sank three free throws in the last 25.8 seconds of Monday night's championship game, securing the Tar Heels' 75-70 win.
"It boils down to whatever it takes to win," Felton said. "Make it happen."
Felton overcame two early fouls and finished with 17 points and seven assists, more than holding his own against the Illini's touted threesome of Dee Brown, Luther Head and Deron Williams.
Felton's play of the game came on defense.
The Illini trailed 72-70 and had the ball as the clock dipped under a minute. Head drove into the lane and tried to kick the ball to Williams on the wing. Anticipating the play perfectly, Felton held his ground, picked off the pass and went the other way.
"They just threw the ball into my hands," Felton said.
It was one of four turnovers for Head, who also missed a pair of 3-pointers down the stretch.
"When Ray made that steal, that was the biggest play of the game," said teammate Sean May, who scored 26 points and was named the Most Outstanding Player.
Head, Williams and Brown combined for 50 points, but shot only 19-for-47 from the field as Illinois tried to win it from the perimeter.
That's where Felton flourished, outclassing all three.
When Head missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds to go, Felton ended up with the ball again. He was fouled and this time coolly swished both shots.
Felton finished what backcourt mate Rashad McCants started. McCants scored 14 points in the opening half, propelling North Carolina to a 40-27 lead at the break.
He wasn't much of a factor in the second half, though, going 0-for-3 from the field in 14 ineffective minutes.
McCants said the game plan changed at halftime and the Tar Heels started looking for May.
"The first half was pretty much my half," said McCants, who shot 6-of-12 before the break. "In the second half, they had to respect me and Sean. With me out on the perimeter, they really couldn't help down on him and that left him open."
Felton played 15 minutes in the first half, despite picking up his second foul with 12:57 left. Coach Roy Williams considered taking him out, but Felton changed his mind.
"I just told him I would be OK, that I was going to play it smart," Felton said.
And he certainly did, especially in the final 60 seconds.
CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer
