Delirium Tournamens: UNC Elite Eight Edition
Is anyone reading these? Have people moved on past missing march madness to just a constant level of existential anxiety about COVID?
I don’t know. But going back through memorable UNC tournament games and compiling them has been fun, so I’m gonna chug right along. So here we go with the Elite Eight
2017 vs Kentucky
You know the final moments. Malik Monk’s absurd, heavily guarded three point attempt that somehow went in followed by Theo Pinson rushing down the court and dishing to Maye for the game winner. But upon rewatch other moments stand out. Stillman White — five years after starting in the Elite Eight vs Kansas as a freshman — tweaking his ankle, made a driving reverse layup. Justin Jackson converting a key four point play in the second half to answer a Kentucky run.
And yeah, after all the crazy last minute losses for the Tar Heels this season, it sure is therapeutic to watch Maye’s shot fall.
2016 vs Notre Dame
Carolina blew a lead at Notre Dame in the ACC regular season, then blew the Irish out of the water in the ACC Tournament. Their Elite Eight grudge match was neck and neck through the first half. Carolina built an early second half lead only for the Irish to erase it and take the lead with just under 13 minutes left. Carolina responded and closed strong, winning by a somewhat deceptively comfortable 14 point margin.
2012 vs Kansas
Not a pleasant game to revisit. Given Kendall Marshall’s injury and UNC’s ugly OT win over Ohio in the sweet sixteen, this game that seemed lost before the opening tip. I was somewhat surprised upon revisiting this game to see that Carolina was within 1 at the under four timeout of the second half. The postgame story became how Kansas’ switch to a triangle and two flummoxed Roy Williams, but honestly considering freshman Stillman White started the game at point guard, the team acquitted itself pretty well against a Kansas team that would advance to the championship game before falling to the UK juggernaut — a team whose only credible threat was a healthy Tar Heel squad.
Ah.. what could have been.
2009 vs Oklahoma
This game was billed as the 2008 National Player of the Year (Tyler Hansbrough) vs the presumptive 2009 National Player of the Year (Blake Griffin). In reality it was the 2009 POY vs the 2009 Team of the Year. Blake Griffin shined, but the Tar Heels were too much for him to overcome on his own. Carolina kept Oklahoma at arm’s distance all game. Blake Griffin went on to win player of the year as expected. Carolina went on to cut the nets.
2008 vs Louisville
Fun fact. This is the only NCAA tournament game I’ve attended. Even from the upper deck of Time Warner Cable Arena (now the Spectrum Center), Tyler Hansbrough shined. As Griffin would the following year, the 2008 National Player of the year made a statement in the Elite Eight, scoring 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Unlike Griffin, Hansbrough also led his team to victory.
I admit I sometimes lose appreciation for how great Hansbrough was at Carolina. I always was partial to Lawson and Ellington who I enrolled alongside in 2006. This game is a good reminder that Psycho T deserved the hype.
2007 vs Georgetown
Oh god this game. The 2007 UNC team was absurdly deep with talent — basically the core of the 2009 title team plus freshman sensation Brandan Wright and senior wing Rayshawn Terry. But the inexperience showed in the elite eight when Carolina blew a double digit lead late to the Hoyas. It was painful at the time, but in retrospect now feels formative to what became one of the greatest college teams in recent memory.
2000 vs Tulsa
The surprise 2000 tournament lives on. Not a beautiful game, but it is nice to watch Carolina beat Bill Self.
1998 vs UConn
There’s a good number of Tar Heel standouts who didn’t get a ring in their Carolina careers. But there’s a smaller list within that list of icons who really seemed DESERVE a banner, but never got one. Phil Ford probably leads that list. Marcus Paige is the most recent member. Antawn Jamison also belongs.
The 98 team was title worthy. While they would fall short, they looked the part in the Elite Eight against Rip Hamilton and UConn.
1995 vs Kentucky
SHEED! FIGHTING KENTUCKY PLAYERS!
1993 vs Cincinnatti
The Tar Heels needed overtime to get by Nick Van Exel and Cincinnatti. For a generation before my time this was probably the equivalent of the Luke Maye shot game in the 1993 title run.
1991 vs Temple
I don’t have much on this one. So instead I’ll point out this was the final season before UNC switched to their now iconic argyle infused uniforms designed by Alexander Julian. The current look is the best in the sport for my money, but the old look was pretty great too.
UNC should really just stick to 60s and 80s throwbacks when it comes to alternate uniforms.
