SPECIAL REPORT / Final Four : 1995 NCAA Seattle : Arkansas vs. North Carolina

The defending national champion Razorbacks needed a good deal of luck to make a return trip to the Final Four. Arkansas somehow survived against Syracuse in the second round when it appeared the game was lost. The tournament has been a breeze for the Tar Heels, who have not won by less than 10 points. Their toughest foe, Kentucky, was never the same after Rasheed Wallace landed a timely elbow early in the regional final.

No Time for Timeout

6.5 SECONDS

THE INBOUNDS PASS: With 6.5 seconds left in regulation and his team trailing, 82-81, Arkansas point guard Corey Beck (1) tries to inbound the ball under his own basket to guard Alex Dillard (2).

5.6 SECONDS

THE INTERCEPTION: Syracuse forward Lucious Jackson (3) intercepts the pass, falls and holds the ball as Dillard tries to wrestle it free. A held ball call would have given the ball to Syracuse because the possession arrow favored the Orangemen.

5.4 SECONDS

THE TIMEOUT: Syracuse senior guard Lawrence Moten (4) signals for a timeout, which his team does not have, and a two-shot technical foul is assessed. Scotty Thurman makes one of two free throws to send the game into overtime. Arkansas goes on to win, 96-94.

Elbowing Past Kentucky

THE FOUL: With 16:06 left in the first half, North Carolina forward Rasheed Wallace (1) is fouled by Kentucky’s Andre Riddick (2) while receiving an entry pass from Jerry Stackhouse (3).

THE ELBOW: After the whistle, Wallace whirls and with his left elbow hits Riddick flush on the left side of his jaw.

THE SCUFFLE: Riddick lunges for Wallace’s throat and clamps down on it with his left hand. A technical foul is called on each team and the incident inspires the Tar Heels, who win game, 74-61.

Arkansas

STARTING FIVE

Elmer Martin-C.

The 6-8 senior is team’s good-luck charm. With him as a late-season start, Arkansas has not lost a game.

Corliss Williamson-F.

Unstoppable once he gets set in the low post. Also has distinguished himself as a solid passer.

Scotty Thurman-F.

Never afraid to take a shot with the game on the line. Beat Duke last year, would love to do the same to another team from same state.

Clint McDaniel-G.

Led the Southeastern Conference in steals. An excellent defender who also has an underrated offensive game.

Corey Beck-G.

Foul trouble has been a problem, but when in the game Razorbacks play significantly better. Does all the dirty work.

KEY SUBSTITUTES

Alex Dillard-G.

Averages about 12 minutes a game, but takes the second-most number of three-point shots on team. Will shoot from almost anywhere.

Dwight Stewart-C.

Perhaps the team’s key reserve, at 6 feet 9 can play inside or outside and has a surprisingly good perimeter shot for a player his size.

COACH

Nolan Richardson

Said this was going to be a difficult season with defending national champions, and he was right. But now has Razorbacks playing the way they did this time last year.

North Carolina

STARTING FIVE

Rasheed Wallace-C

Tar Heels have reached Final Four without a great game from Wallace. Think what will happen if they get one.

Jerry Stackhouse-F

Outcry over his being named Sports Illustrated player of year has faded with each strong tournament effort.

Dante Calabria-F

Probably the most versatile player on Tar Heel roster and nobody, including Donald Williams, is better from perimeter.

Donald Williams-G

Has come on as the tournament progressed and if he can recapture his form from tournament MVP season two years ago, Tar Heels will be very hard to beat.

Jeff McInnis-G

Doesn’t get much publicity, but is an excellent defender and does what Dean Smith loves the most: rarely commits turnovers.

KEY SUBSTITUTES

Pearce Landry-G

Another one of those no-name substitutes who occasionally makes a key shot or steal and generally keeps mistakes to a minimum.

Serge Zwikker-C

Don’t laugh, but Zwikker might be one of most valuable Tar Heels on roster. Has given the team more quality play than anyone expected.

COACH

Dean Smith

Deprived of his usual deep roster, Smith has done a remarkable job making more out of less for Tar Heels.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

ROSTER / STATISTICS: Arkansas

No. Name HT. WT. RPG. PPG. 34 WILLIAMSON 6-7 245 7.5 19.9 30 THURMAN 6-6 210 3.9 16.0 12 MCDANIEL 6-4 180 3.0 11.3 14 BECK 6-2 190 4.9 7.9 3 DILLARD 6-1 170 1.5 7.0 15 STEWART 6-9 265 4.6 6.9 44 ROBINSON 6-11 270 3.8 6.6 23 GARRETT 6-5 205 2.3 5.7 33 WILSON 6-11 255 2.5 4.0 22 RIMAC 6-7 210 1.5 3.7 21 WILLIAMS 6-7 205 1.1 3.1 40 MARTIN 6-8 220 1.8 1.8

ROSTER / STATISTICS: North Carolina

No. Name HT. WT. RPG. PPG. 42 STACKHOUSE 6-6 218 8.3 19.2 30 WALLACE 6-10 225 8.2 16.8 21 D.WILLIAMS 6-3 194 2.8 15.4 5 MCINNIS 6-4 182 4.0 12.3 24 CALABRIA 6-4 186 4.8 10.8 22 LANDRY 6-5 180 1.6 4.0 45 ZWIKKER 7-2 248 3.0 3.0 14 SULLIVAN 6-2 175 1.5 2.0 40 GETH 6-8 235 1.4 1.9 15 S.WILLIAMS 6-2 185 0.4 1.7 34 MCNAIRY 6-6 192 0.7 1.1 44 LYNN 6-2 204 0.2 0.3