GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Scripture led North Carolina’s Justin Jackson to the tale of David and Goliath, of all things. He did not plan it that way. The words spoke to him still.
As many fans framed the Tar Heels’ matchup with tiny Gonzaga in Monday’s N.C.A.A. tournament championship game as a retelling of the classic underdog tale, Jackson read it quietly to himself, in the locker room, seeing the story in a different light.
He saw a message of guile and craftiness, of David’s steadfast approach to a challenge of gigantic proportions, of faith and belief.