THI Ranks The Top-10 Of 2017: Nos. 1-5

With 2017 in the books, THI is taking a look at the 10 best moments for UNC football and basketball that we covered over the last year. This installment ranks Nos. 1-5.

Here is our list:

Proving to be the best team in the nation is always going to be very hard to beat as the top story of the year, but when it’s the real narrative of redemption that fueled the Tar Heels' national title run, it has to be an absolute lock. That was UNC’s story, as the Heels went from one of the most heart-breaking losses in major American sports history to the championship. It was also Roy Williams’ third title, putting him in select company, and the program’s sixth NCAA championship, giving it the third most in history.

This almost won out as No. 1, but it didn’t because we here at THI have been saying since day one nothing would happen, that UNC would not be punished because we understood the facts of the case and the NCAA’s bylaws. So while some may say UNC escaped punishment and had previous titles preserved, we see it more as a major cloud being lifted from the university and everyone involved in athletics and titles that were never really in question didn't need preserving. It’s hard to quantify exactly how big that is, but it’s huge to have it in UNC’s rear view mirror.

The Tar Heels’ redemption tour never would have become a reality if not for Maye’s miracle shot to beat Kentucky in the South Regional final in Memphis. Maye had an outstanding weekend, which included UNC beating Butler in the Sweet 16. He scored 33 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in winning the region's MOP honor. But his shot with .3 seconds left sending the Tar Heels to the Final Four is a moment that will last forever in UNC lore.

Berry’s numbers in Phoenix weren’t all that spectacular in raw form. He totaled 33 points on 9-33 shooting from the floor, including just 6-21 from 3-point range. He also handed out 8 assists and registered 3 steals. But it was Berry's grit, battling two injured ankles, and his 22-point performance in the national title game, when seemingly every one of his buckets was a big basket, that made him the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. He’s the fifth Tar Heel to win the honor and became the first player since Bill Walton in 1973 to score 20 or more points in consecutive national championship games.

For a football program that isn’t exactly known for producing NFL quarterbacks, Trubisky going as the No. 2 overall pick and top quarterback was huge for UNC. It showed that Larry Fedora and his staff can develop players as the sport’s most important position, a reason Jace Ruder chose UNC this past summer, and it gave the program a lot of free positive publicity, and that can never hurt. UNC needs to do a better job of recognizing the football lore it has and by building more. Trubisky going No. 2 overall helps in that respect.