Delirium Tournamens: UNC First Round Edition
UNC isn’t playing in the NCAA tournament this year. I’ve been prepared for that possibility ever since UNC managed to blow a late double digit lead to Clemson in the Dean Dome, ending the Tigers’ seemingly eternal winless streak in Chapel Hill. The Syracuse Orange placed the final nail in Carolina’s coffin with an unceremonious beatdown of the Tar Heels last Wednesday in Greensboro.
What I wasn’t prepared for was there not being an NCAA tournament at all. While Syracuse continued to extend their lead late Wednesday night, a surreal cascade events was unfolding in the sports world as the sports world was forced to acknowledge the rapidly evolving pandemic of COVID-19. The formal end of UNC’s season from hell quickly took a back seat to the news of Rudy Gobert testing positive for coronavirus. By the end of the night the NBA’s season was suspended. The one-sided clash of UNC and Syracuse would end up being the final contest of the ACC tournament. The coup de grace came later Thursday afternoon — there would be no 2020 NCAA tournament.
Despite the Tar Heels’ impending absence I was still very much looking forward to the NCAA tournament. The first weekend is my favorite sports event of the year. Its absence, particularly in this time of social distancing, leaves me feeling a bit empty.
As such, I decided that as the days that we’d usually spend taking in March Madness unfold, it would be fun to compile some of the most memorable moments of Tar Heel basketball in each round.
We’ll begin with the first round. While many of Carolina’s first round clashes have been one sided affairs, I was able to come up with several memorable moments. Some games, such as UNC’s victory over Air Force in 2004 — Roy’s first tournament win as head coach — were not included as no highlights were available on YouTube.
Round of 64:
2019 vs Iona
Carolina avoided becoming the first 1 seed to lose to a 16 seed, but for a while they seemed fated to become the second. Iona held a lead in the second half against the Heels last year before Carolina finally put the game away late.
2016 vs Florida Gulf Coast
Before UMBC took down Virginia, Florida Gulf Coast was a popular pick to become the first 16 seed to knock of a 1 seed. Seth Davis went so far as to actually predict that outcome. And for a half, the Eagles put the fear of God into every UNC fan as the Tar Heels clung to a 2 point lead at intermission. Fortunately UNC was able to take control in the second half and win comfortably.
2015 vs Harvard
I wouldn’t call this a great game, but it was memorable. After seemingly having the outcome secured in the second half, UNC allowed Harvard to make a late run and nearly hand Roy Williams his first round of 64 loss as head coach of the Tar Heels.
2014 vs Providence
Marcus Paige. Bryce Cotton. James Michael McAdoo’s late free throws. Probably the best first round game UNC has been a part of in recent memory.
2013 vs Villanova
North Carolina and Villanova have a star crossed NCAA Tournament history. While far from their most memorable showdown there’s something therapeutic about watching Reggie Bullock and PJ Hairston rain threes on the Wildcats in a back and forth game.
1999 vs Weber State
Not all memories are good memories. I won’t blame you for skipping this one, but it certainly qualifies as memorable and the entire game was on YouTube.
1997 vs Fairfield
While not the most beautiful game, we’ll follow up UNC’s worst first round moment with one of its best — beating Fairfield to secure Dean Smith’s 876th victory and tying Adolph Rupp’s then all time wins record.
1977 vs Purdue
Back in 1977 the NCAA tournament’s field was only 32 teams so it’s hard to know exactly where to slot this game. But since it technically was a first round game we’ll include it here. Can’t say no to a chance to watch UNC legend Phil Ford.
