The No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats held off a late charge by the No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels, winning to advance to the 2011 Final Four. They’ll play the No. 3 Connecticut Huskies in Houston next weekend.

Kentucky led by as many as 11 late before a UNC rally closed the game to a tie with three minutes left. The Wildcats re-found their shooting touch and figured out how to hang on to the ball again, with DeAndre Liggins sinking a crucial three with seconds left to make it a four-point game. Officials reviewed to make sure his toe was behind the line. It was, by the narrowest of margins.

Brandon Knight was the highest scorer for Kentucky, drilling five threes to reach 22 for the game. He also pulled down seven rebounds, tying him with Terrence Jones for second on the team behind Josh Harrelson.

This is Kentucky’s first Final Four since Tubby Smith’s title run in 1998.

For more on this game, UNC fans should join Carolina March, and Kentucky fans should visit A Sea Of Blue and Team Speed Kills.

More 2011 March Madness resources: Visit our NCAA Tournament hub for up-to-date news and information … updated printable NCAA 2011 Tournament bracket … the full NCAA Tournament schedule.