Voting for best North Carolina college basketball team of all-time enters Elite Eight
The votes are in and basketball fans in the Triangle have decided which teams advanced to the Elite Eight in our News and Observer bracket to determine the best college basketball team from North Carolina.
In the Dave Odom Regional, the 2008-2009 UNC Tar Heels and the 1973-74 N.C. State Wolfpack emerged. Ty Lawson against David Thompson for a trip to the Final Four.
The 2011-2012 Tar Heels, perhaps the best Triangle team not to win it all, emerged from the Mike Krzyzewski Regional to take on Chris Paul, Eric Williams and the 2003-2004 Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Continue to vote now for the best team out of North Carolina.
Dave Odom Region
2008-2009 UNC. This UNC team, loaded with talent, won Roy Williams his second title and dominated opponents during its NCAA tournament run.
1973-1974 NC State. Led by David Thompson, the 1974 Pack slayed the UCLA giant in the semifinal and won the school’s first national title in basketball.
Mike Krzyzewski Region
2003-2004 Wake Forest. Led by sophomore Chris Paul, the Demon Deacons finished second in the ACC and finished No. 5 in the AP polls.
2011-2012 UNC. Was this the best UNC team to never win it all? Led by Harrison Barnes, many feel like this squad was a Kendall Marshall wrist injury away from cutting down the nets.
Jim Valvano Region
1982-1983 NC State. The Cardiac Pack made a historic run through not only the ACC tournament, but the Big Dance as well.
1991-1992 Duke. The second of two straight Duke title teams, the Blue Devils were led by senior Christian Laettner, who was cementing his legacy as one the best college basketball players ever.
Dean Smith Region
1981-1982 UNC. Dean Smith’s first title. Featured a slew of future NBA players, including a freshman from Wilmington named Michael Jordan.
2000-2001 Duke. Senior forward Shane Battier finally got the title that eluded him as a sophomore. Battier was the tournament MOP, but the Blue Devils were driven by sophomores Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy.
This story was originally published March 24, 2022 at 4:37 PM.
