The purpose-driven season
Congratulations to Roy Williams and his great Tar Heel basketball team. They achieved the most impressive national championship victory in the program's storied history.
It was especially satisfying to see the veteran players accomplish the goal they dedicated themselves to since their defeat by Kansas in last year's semifinals. The top four from that team all could have taken their game to the pro ranks but chose to stay, both for the college experience and to return, successfully, to the Final Four. For them, this was the purpose-driven season, and they deserve all the credit for a job well done. No doubt they were the most talented team in the field, but talent alone doesn't win at this level of competition. It also requires hard, hard work, discipline, desire, attention to detail and unity of spirit. Their run through the tournament was a mission.
This was a special Carolina team, which featured the ACC's all-time leading scorer and 2008 National Player of the Year, Tyler Hansbrough. What's not to like about that kid? (Don't answer that, Duke fans.) I also appreciate about Hansbrough the fact that, during this marvelous stretch run, he gladly turned into more of a role player than a star. He had a big role, sure, but super point guard Ty Lawson made the team go. And sharpshooter Wayne Ellington ended up as the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.
It was a team of many parts. Senior Danny Green played in more Tar Heel victories over his career than anyone else in school history. Deon Thompson, Bobby Frasor and Ed Davis contributed in important ways.
Now, with title in hand, we can assess this team's place among the Tar Heel best. In my memory, nothing can top the thrill of the 1982 championship, Dean Smith's first after falling just short several times. With James Worthy, Sam Perkins and Michael Jordan, the '82 edition would be hard to beat in terms of star power.
The 1993 title team had terrific depth and balance, and the 2005 squad counted -- correct me if I'm wrong -- six players who have since seen NBA action.
Two of the most talent-laden Tar Heel teams never even reached the Final Four. The early NCAA exits of the 1984 and 1994 teams were hugely disappointing. It goes to show that nothing is guaranteed in a single-elimination tournament.
Older fans might contend that the undefeated 1957 team was Carolina's best ever.
And how about Roy Williams' place among the coaching giants? Guess what: He's already equaled Smith's two championships. Does that put him on a par with Dean, or even ahead? Is it heresy to even ask the question?
One thing for sure. No Tar Heel team ever stormed to a national title as convincingly as this one. I won't say easily, because they worked hard for it. They turned talent and drive into a tremendous finish. Job well done.
Comments (7)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Look out Heels! I thought I saw Turbo Tax Tim lurking at the game last night. Late in the game he appeared to be talking on the phone. One of my "sources" in the crowd reported to me that he was talking with the Community Organizer asking permission to take over the failing city of Detroit, and the failed Mich. St. basketball program.
Apparently after granting his request, the Community Organizer was planning to ask Roy Williams to apologize to the Spartan team, and the city of Detroit for being so aggressive and dismissive (running around high fiving one another) of them after the drubbing.
I also understand, from my source, that the Community Organizer told the tax cheat to look for ways to make college basketball more "fair." I'm told they've decided to create a "Fairness in College Basketball Task Force" (most of whom attended Ivy League schools where they don't play basketball).
The FCBTF decided that the best way to punish Williams for his success was to permit other teams to chose half of the players from Williams' roster! They hope that move will discourage Williams from working so hard in the future to create another such successful program while other programs continue to languish in this unfair Capitalist system!
Posted on April 7, 2009 10:52 AM
I was glad to see a lopsided, boring blowout!
As far as Dean and Roy.... kinda apples to oranges. Far fewer entires into NCCA dance back in the day. Under old rules (really old rules) this team wouldnt even have qualified for NCAAs due to loss in ACC tourney.
This version of Heels is a great team fueled by good players, role players as well as stars. Maybe not the star power of Perkins, Worthy and Jordan. But some NBA $$$ will be made by these kids over the next few years.
Im guessing The Heels will have to all but completely reload next season. I dont see those starting Jr types hangin around.
Go Heels
Posted on April 7, 2009 12:01 PM
I was glad to see a lopsided, boring blowout!
As far as Dean and Roy.... kinda apples to oranges. Far fewer entires into NCCA dance back in the day. Under old rules (really old rules) this team wouldnt even have qualified for NCAAs due to loss in ACC tourney.
This version of Heels is a great team fueled by good players, role players as well as stars. Maybe not the star power of Perkins, Worthy and Jordan. But some NBA $$$ will be made by these kids over the next few years.
Im guessing The Heels will have to all but completely reload next season. I dont see those starting Jr types hangin around.
Go Heels
Posted on April 7, 2009 12:01 PM
Roy is a better coach than Dean. Let's face it: Dean's teams were chokemasters, and Dean's idiotic substitution patterns were part of the problem.
In the aftermath of this heartwarming win, I just hope Carolina fans will take the time in the next day or two to locate all the Duke fans they know and taunt them.
Posted on April 7, 2009 12:14 PM
Older fans might contend that the undefeated 1957 team was Carolina's best ever.* Doug
You got that right except the part about older fans! Where do you get off about fans having Senior Moments about the Greatest Team in Carolina history?
I hope the Ghost of Frank Mc Guire haunts you until you say Lennie Roseblume had the greatest bank shot in College Basketball.
Posted on April 7, 2009 1:48 PM
Lennie Rosenbluth was a great player for his day, but he was no Danny Green.
Posted on April 7, 2009 2:14 PM
All ready doing that. However had Duke been playing MS, I would have rooted for them.So, we must now enjoy the moment. Way to go heels. Wonder how much money, this means to NC? Seems NC shirt are qutte common today.
Posted on April 7, 2009 3:19 PM