What was the Greatest UNC Game You Watched . . ?

[heelz2345]

Greatest games I've seen in person going chronologically

08 vs. Clemson: With 3 minutes left in regulation and the Heels down 11, my nose started bleeding. I went to the bathroom to clean up and I heard the place get louder. I watched the rest of the game (both overtimes) from the concourse with paper towels jammed up my nose, because I was sure going back to my seat would cost us the game.

09 vs. Duke: First UNC-Duke game I saw in person, I was a freshman at UNC, it was Hansbrough's senior night and we won a game that was pretty tight throughout but we pulled away at the end.

11 vs. Duke: We beat Duke to secure an ACC Regular Season title and I was part of the court rush that ensued after that game. It was actually the second court rush I was a part of that year, as the women's team beat Duke in Carmichael on a game winning block and Coach Hatchell basically led the students in a court rush. Not many people have gotten to rush both Carmichael and the Smith Center.

17 vs. Duke: This was the "Ceiling is the Roof" game, and I was in person for that, so it makes the list.

I watched both the 09 and 17 title games in the Smith Center, so if that counts, I would include that.

Most frustrating game to see in person is easily the 12 game vs. Duke aka the Rivers game. Never heard the Smith Center go so quiet in an instant like it did there. I stood in place for about 20 minutes after that shot because I just couldn't believe it. I also watched the 16 title game in the Smith Center and that was a very similar feeling.

 

[diehard34]

Greatest games I've seen in person going chronologically

08 vs. Clemson: With 3 minutes left in regulation and the Heels down 11, my nose started bleeding. I went to the bathroom to clean up and I heard the place get louder. I watched the rest of the game (both overtimes) from the concourse with paper towels jammed up my nose, because I was sure going back to my seat would cost us the game.

09 vs. Duke: First UNC-Duke game I saw in person, I was a freshman at UNC, it was Hansbrough's senior night and we won a game that was pretty tight throughout but we pulled away at the end.

11 vs. Duke: We beat Duke to secure an ACC Regular Season title and I was part of the court rush that ensued after that game. It was actually the second court rush I was a part of that year, as the women's team beat Duke in Carmichael on a game winning block and Coach Hatchell basically led the students in a court rush. Not many people have gotten to rush both Carmichael and the Smith Center.

17 vs. Duke: This was the "Ceiling is the Roof" game, and I was in person for that, so it makes the list.

I watched both the 09 and 17 title games in the Smith Center, so if that counts, I would include that.

Most frustrating game to see in person is easily the 12 game vs. Duke aka the Rivers game. Never heard the Smith Center go so quiet in an instant like it did there. I stood in place for about 20 minutes after that shot because I just couldn't believe it. I also watched the 16 title game in the Smith Center and that was a very similar feeling.

The damn Rivers shot still haunts me.

 

[heelz2345]

The damn Rivers shot still haunts me.

Yeah it was a bummer. I was a senior, so that was my last one as a student I got to see in person in that rivalry. We got them back at Cameron that year, but that shot still sucks. Only thing that Rivers is known for. Well, that and his dad chasing off Chris Paul to give him playing time.

 

[thaUNCshow]

2017 title game in person here in Phoenix for me. Best games i ever watched on tv were 2017 vs UK, 05 vs Dook, 05 title game, both games in 08 vs Clemson

 

[berens007]

In person - national championship game in 2005, snow game v. Maryland in 2000, followed by a few court-rushers vs. Duke and UConn in the early 00s. Best early round NCAA game I've been to was against the Isaiah Thomas/Terrence Ross Washington team in 2011. That game was lightning fast and lights out.

Best game period (been a fan since i came to school in Fall 1999) I can't even pick. Probably just a lot of T-1s with Duke wins, the other two national Championships, last year's Kentucky game, etc. The win at Duke in 2006 on Redick's senior night does stand out though

 

[dadika13]

Also, for some reason the Psycho T game winner vs. Va Tech always sticks out to me.

 

[TarHeel Gary]

8 POINTS IN 17 SECONDS!

 

[Middle Sound Heel]

I was at both of the Final Fours in person in 2016 and 2017. Winning the national championship and seeing it in person is definitely the best sports high you are ever going to feel. It was always my dream to see the Heels cut down the nets. Hopefully I get to see it at least one more time. Want to add Pheonix was simply awesome to host a Final Four.

 

[gunslingerdick]

This is the epitome of a 5 star thread. Well done @BillyL


Warning - this is a tl;dr response.

I don't know if I can pick one. I was on Franklin Street in 98 for the game of the Greatest Missed Dunk in Carolina history. Watched it in a bar (can't even remember which one because I got so sauced). But that was a great night. Being at the tournament in Charlotte and watching Hansbrough hit the shot against VT was awesome. And the Marvin Williams putback-and-one against duke was a hell of a game as well. But three games stick out maybe a little more than the rest. Not because of the games themselves (although all three were incredible games) but because of accompanying reasons.

1 - As some of you may know, my dad is a UVa grad and when I was little, he tried very hard to get me to be one. But I chose the Heels instead at about age 7. My dad wasn't thrilled, but he let me be a fan of whoever I wanted. And growing up, I was probably a dick to my Pop whenever the Heels whipped the Hoos but he continued to take me to Charlottesville for UVa games (all sports) and never gave up hope that I would one day see the err of my ways and finally become a Cavalier. Fast forward to the title game in '93, I went over to a buddy's house to watch. Of course we won and I came home late that night. My dad was already in bed but he had written a note on a napkin and left it on my pillow. It read: "You've been a great fan. Be as classy about winning as they are. Go Heels." I still have that napkin.

2 - I watched the Nova title game with my two sons who were both old enough now to really be into Carolina sports (9 and 4 years old). They had watched almost every game with me that season for the first time and I wanted a championship for them - to reward them for their loyalty and to hook them on Carolina sports forever. What a roller coaster that game was. When Marcus hit that shot it was pure jubilation. But I remember looking at the clock and then looking them in the eyes and saying, "if they hit a buzzer beater, we have to be ok with it." Well, you know...When Jenkins' shot went in, both of my boys burst into tears. We sat there stunned looking at the TV for about 10 minutes with no one saying a word. The crying had subsided and I finally got up, walked over to the TV, cut it off and said, "Next year's our year."

3 - What a difference a year makes. Same scenario, me and the boys watched pretty much every game together throughout the season. And there we were again in the title game a year after such heartbreak. Another amazing game only with a much different ending. The sadness of the prior year was now an afterthought as all of us were rejoicing. I felt that my kids had really earned that celebration because of the pain from the year before and their dedication throughout the season to get to that point. I kept them out of school the next day and we drove down to Chapel Hill and partied.

 

[gauchoheel]

Greatest UNC game I've watched: Last year's Elite 8 Kentucky game (though being on Franklin St for the championship was better in a sense)

Not really been to a great UNC game in-person yet, a few really fun ones stand out. Hopefully next week's Duke game will be a good one, I'll be there.

 

[thaUNCshow]

I was at both of the Final Fours in person in 2016 and 2017. Winning the national championship and seeing it in person is definitely the best sports high you are ever going to feel. It was always my dream to see the Heels cut down the nets. Hopefully I get to see it at least one more time. Want to add Pheonix was simply awesome to host a Final Four.

i was very impressed. we've had the Super Bowl, CFP Championship and Pro Bowl here and this was the most well put together event we've had IMO. Met Sean Elliott at the fan fest event they had on the lawn before the game and that was cool since we both grew up in Tucson after I moved away from NC. Also had great seats since my uncle played football at UNC with Alge Crumpler

 

[Littlejon]

In person, 1975 ACC tourney in Greensboro. We beat the peckers in the championship game that year, but I didn't see that game, rather it was the Wake Forest game I saw in person. Phil was a freshman and was running the point. We won in overtime after trailing late in the game. That is about all I remember.

Greatest game on TV had to be the '82 championship game. When Brown threw the ball to Worthy I came unglued. My dad and I were jumping up and down like 2 kids on Christmas morning. I was 13 at the time, so the fact we were still in the same room together was a miracle as I "knew" everything and he was, to me at that time, the biggest idiot that had ever drawn breath. Luckily for him, he got real smart by the time I graduated college and hit the real world!

Second would have to be the '93 championship game. I was sitting with my girlfriend (who would become my wife) on one of our first dates in my mother's living room on the edge of the sofa. My GF (wife) didn't say a word until halftime. Second half came and she sat there quiet as a church mouse the entire time until Webber called the TO and I, again, started jumping around like a fool. She joined in and I knew I had a keeper!

To this day she sits quietly while I watch the games, although she does chime in from time to time with her opinions.

 

[TarHeelMark]

First game in the Dean Dome, January of '86. The Heels were ranked #1 and the Devils were ranked #3 I believe. The Heels won 95-92. Great game.

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I’m sure every Heels fans knows this but who scored the first bucket in the Dean Dome?

 

[TarHeelMark]

Billy I love this thread, you got me thinking and I do have another to add.

The comeback against Florida State as we came back from 21 with less than 12 to go in the Smith Center in '93. The place went absolutely nuts!! I am actually re-watching the game right now, what a WIN!!

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I went to see a Charlotte Hornets game that night but on the way home, we listened to Woody during that comeback vs. FSU. We were all Heels fans and were screaming our heads off when Carolina finally took the lead. I need to watch that one again.

 

[BillyL]

I’m sure every Heels fans knows this but who scored the first bucket in the Dean Dome?

I know the answer . . and thats a very good trivia question, Mark.

Here's another, and I've posted this ? once before . .

What was Dean Smith's nickname when he was a player at Kansas . . ?

 

[TarHeelMark]

What was Dean Smith's nickname when he was a player at Kansas . . ?

The Jet? LOL.

Good one Billy, I don’t know... Deano?

 

[FranktheHeel]

I know the answer . . and thats a very good trivia question, Mark.

Here's another, and I've posted this ? once before . .

What was Dean Smith's nickname when he was a player at Kansas . . ?

The Jet? LOL.

Good one Billy, I don’t know... Deano?

This is a wild guess, but I remember seeing an article about his days at Kansas. I'm gonna go with Smiles.

 

[TarHeelMark]

As a damn yankee who was fortunate to have my family move to NC when I was a knee-high, I started really following the Heels during the Phil Ford era. That ‘77 championship loss, followed by losing in 81, made the 82 chip my favorite since Coach Smith finally got the monkey off his back.

Another favorite is “the Steal”... just listen to Woody go crazy. Awesome!

 

[BillyL]

This is a wild guess, but I remember seeing an article about his days at Kansas. I'm gonna go with Smiles.

We have a winner . . well done, FranktheHeel . . !

 

[HOWSWEETITISTOBEATARHEEL]

In person... 1969 ACC Championship game in Charlotte. Great Scott! Also went to Eastern Regionals that year in College Park. Close wins against Duquesne and Davidson.

 

[FranktheHeel]

As a damn yankee who was fortunate to have my family move to NC when I was a knee-high, I started really following the Heels during the Phil Ford era. That ‘77 championship loss, followed by losing in 81, made the 82 chip my favorite since Coach Smith finally got the monkey off his back.

Another favorite is “the Steal”... just listen to Woody go crazy. Awesome!

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That's a good one from Woody. I also love listening to this one.


"The Game is Over."

 

[TarHeelMark]

Another great finish by the Heels.

 

[Archer2]

We have a winner . . well done, FranktheHeel . . !

I knew it was Smiley or Smiles. I wonder why...

 

[Heels5150]

March 6 2005 vs. dook, 1994 in Chapel Hill crushed #1 dook as we were ranked #2. In Chapel Hill beat #1 Connecticut.

 

[TarHeelMark]

Smith Center was rocking!!

I just rewatched that 2nd half and it gets better every time. Even the blue hairs were out of control.

 

[IDUNK4HEELS]

The game in chapel Hill when Carolina was trailing the great Ralph Sampson Virginia team by double digits with less than 5 minutes to go until Michael Jordan stole the ball from Rick Carisle and slammed it thru to complete a tremendous comeback and win.

The ACC tournament game a couple of years ago against Miami in Greensboro down by 20 in the second half where the big Z scored with one second left to give Carolina its first lead of the night and the game.

Wayne Ellington' s 3 pointer against Clemson at Little John which instantly turn the Tiger fans into a state of disbelief and silence.

 

[j-doolsheels]

My favorite, and most memorable game was the 93' chip. My favorite era was the Psycho T era...

 

[jeans15]

1993 National Championship game.


Donald Williams was brilliant.

 

[jeans15]

That's a good one from Woody. I also love listening to this one.

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"The Game is Over."

I was at this game. The Super Drum was loud.

 

[Go Heels #1]

8 POINTS IN 17 SECONDS!

In an era where there was no 3 pointer shot.

 

[2DDIMOND]

1995 regional final vs Kentucky. Stackhouse & Wallace were special, still can't believe those 2 didn't get a ring in '95. In the FF, we completed a comeback against ucla then Calabria committed one of the dumbest fouls in UNC history. Not his fault, we should've run those dudes.

 

[rexerdog]

In person: Dean in Winston Salem becoming the all time winningest coach.
For TV, the '82 championship was special, '93 comeback over FSU and the Marvin putback Duke game were all pretty awesome.
Pure bliss was the Duke games back when Sheed and Stackhouse were dunking all over Cherokee Parks and company. We owned them for a few years there.

 

[Tom79]

8 POINTS IN 17 SECONDS!

This. Greatest finish to a college game, regular season.

 

[ChiShankCity]

the 2005 national title game against Illinois was my favorite. I lived in Illini country at the time and that Illinois team ended up like 7 points away from being undefeated. So that was an awesome win for me because of the environment.

I know we lost but the 2011 game at Kentucky because of the amount of talent that was on the court.

 

[MWHeels]

I saw the 2009 Championship game in person. That has to be it for me.