List of North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball seasons

For North Carolina's current season, see 2023–24 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team.

Five young men in American basketball uniform seated with one holding a basketball with the North Carolina insigna, and five men standing behind them, two older men in jackets with bow ties and three young men in American basketball uniform
The 1910–11 men's basketball team

The men's basketball team of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is referred to as the North Carolina Tar Heels, and they play in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Tar Heels have played their games at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina since 1986.

As of the 2009–10 season, North Carolina had the second most wins and the second highest winning percentage of any NCAA Division I men's team with a record of 2,004 wins and 720 losses over 100 seasons.[1] The Tar Heels also have the most consecutive 20-win seasons, with 31 seasons from the 1970–71 season through 2000–01 season.[2] The Tar Heels have won the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament six times, have appeared in the tournament finals eleven times, a record 21 NCAA Final Fours,[3] have made it into the NCAA tournament 47 times (tied for second-most all-time),[4] and hold the record for all-time NCAA tournament victories (102).[5] Additionally, the team has been the number one seed in the NCAA tournament 13 times, which is the most #1 seeds of all-time, and has been ranked in the top 25 AP Poll 703 times (1st all-time),[6] has beaten #1 teams a record 12 times,[6] has the most consecutive 20-win seasons, with 31,[7] North Carolina has also won the National Invitation Tournament, appeared in two NIT Semifinals, and has made five appearances in the NIT Tournament. North Carolina has had a top twenty-five final ranking among Division I schools 42 times as ranked by the Associated Press and 44 times as ranked by the Coaches Poll. In five instances the Tar Heels have ended the season with a number one ranking in the Associated Press, and the Tar Heels have also been ranked number one five times at the end of the season by the Coaches' Poll.

The Tar Heels played their first basketball game against Virginia Christian, on January 27, 1910, a 42–21 win for North Carolina.[6] In 1921 North Carolina joined the Southern Conference.[8] In the Southern Conference, the Tar Heels quickly found success. The 1923–24 Tar Heels squad went 26-0 and was retroactively awarded the national championship by the Helms Athletic Foundation in 1936.[9] Overall, the Tar Heels played 32 seasons in the Southern Conference from 1921 to 1953. During that period they won 304 games and lost 111 for a winning percentage of 73.3%. The Tar Heels were winners of the regular season for nine times and won the Southern Conference championships 8 times.

In 1953, North Carolina split off from the Southern Conference and became a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.[10] Again, the Tar Heels quickly found success in their new conference. The Tar Heels won their first NCAA Championship under coach Frank McGuire in 1957, which was led by Lennie Rosenbluth and several other transplants from the New York City area. McGuire was forced to resign in 1961 after an NCAA violation regarding "improper recruiting entertainment"[11] and was replaced by one of his assistants, Dean Smith.

Smith coached the Tar Heels from 1961 to 1997 and brought an unprecedented level of success to the team. When Smith retired in 1997, he had the most wins ever of any NCAA Division I men's basketball coach with 879 wins, and the 9th highest winning percentage with 77.6% wins.[12][13] During Smith's time as head coach, North Carolina won the ACC regular season championship 17 times, won the ACC tournament 13 times, won the NIT in 1971, went to the NCAA tournament 27 times, appeared in 11 final fours, and won two NCAA national tournament titles, in 1982 and 1993.[14] The 1982 National Championship team was led by James Worthy, Sam Perkins, and a young Michael Jordan. The 1993 National Championship team starred Donald Williams, George Lynch and Eric Montross. While at North Carolina, Smith helped promote desegregation by recruiting the university's first African American scholarship basketball player Charlie Scott.[15]

Smith retired in 1997 and the head coaching position went to his assistant Bill Guthridge. In his three seasons as head coach Guthridge led the Tar Heels to the NCAA final Four twice, in the 1998 tournament and again in the 2000 tournament.

Guthridge retired in 2000 and North Carolina turned to the 38-year-old Matt Doherty to lead the Tar Heels.[16] Doherty had mixed success while at Carolina. In his first season, the Heels shot to the #1 ranking in the polls in the middle of the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule and finished with an impressive 26–7 record. But Doherty's second season was the worst in recent history as the Tar Heels finished the season with a record of 8-20, missing postseason play entirely for the first time since the 1965–66 season (including a record 26 straight NCAA Tournament appearances) and finishing with a losing record for the first time since 1962 (Dean Smith's first year as coach). They also finished 4–12 in the ACC—only the program's second losing ACC record ever. The 12 losses were six more than the Tar Heels had ever suffered in a single season of ACC play, and placed them in a tie for 7th place—the program's first finish below fourth place ever. The season also saw the end of UNC's run of 31 straight 20-win seasons and 35 straight seasons of finishing third or higher in the ACC. After bringing in one of the top 5 incoming classes for the 2002–03 season, the Tar Heels started the season by knocking off a top 5 Kansas team and going on to win the Preseason NIT and returning to the AP top 25. Carolina went on to finish the season with a 17–15 record, barely missing the NCAA tournament. Matt Doherty led the Tar Heels to the third round of the NIT where they ended their season with a loss to Georgetown. Despite the turnaround from the year before and the late season playoff run, at the end of the season Matt Doherty was replaced as head coach by Roy Williams.

Roy Williams' first season was a moderate success with North Carolina finished 19-11 and the team was knocked out in the second round of the NCAA tournament by Texas. Williams was able to gain more success in his second season and coached North Carolina to a national championship in 2005.[17] After winning the championship, Williams had to deal with the departure of the team's top seven scorers. Most thought that 2005–06 would be a down season for Williams, but the Tar Heels proved to be surprisingly successful in part due to the help of the freshman Tyler Hansbrough. Williams was named Coach of the Year for his ability to turn around such a new team to such a high level of success. Since 2005 the Tar Heels have once again become a leader in the ACC, winning both the regular season and the conference tournament in 2006–07 and 2007–08. In the 2008–09 season, North Carolina was chosen as consensus pre-season #1 and managed to fulfill the predictions of a national championship by beating Michigan State in the 2009 National Championship. However, the 2009-10 season ended up being a down season for the Tar Heels. The loss of players such as Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough, along with numerous injuries to key players, proved too much to overcome and resulted in the Tar Heels missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2002–03 season. The Tar Heels returned to the NCAA tournament in the ensuring years losing to Kentucky and Kansas in the Elite 8 during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons respectively. In the 2015-16 season, Williams returned the Tar Heels to the NCAA Championship game where he sought his third national championship against Villanova. Marcus Paige hit an off-balance three-point shot to tie the game with 4.7 seconds left. However, Villanova's Kris Jenkins hit a buzzer-beating three pointer to defeat the Tar Heels 77–74. The Tar Heels returned to the 2017 National Championship game the following year where they defeated Gonzaga 71–65 to win their sixth NCAA title in program history.

Season results

Statistics overview
Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Nat Cartmell (Independent) (1910–1914)
1910–11 Nat Cartmell 7–4
1911–12 Nat Cartmell 4–5
1912–13 Nat Cartmell 4–7
1913–14 Nat Cartmell 10–8
Nat Cartmell: 25–24 (.510)
Charles Doak (SAIAA) (1914–1916)
1914–15 Charles Doak 6–10 9th
1915–16 Charles Doak 12–6 5th
Charles Doak: 18–16 (.529)
Howell Peacock (SAIAA) (1916–1918)
1916–17 Howell Peacock 5–4 7th
1917–18 Howell Peacock 9–3 3rd
Howell Peacock: 14–7 (.667)
Rennie Cuthbertson (SAIAA) (1918–1919)
1918–19 Rennie Cuthbertson 9–7 7th
Fred Boye (Independent) (1919–1921)
1919–20 Fred Boye 8–9 8th
1920–21 Fred Boye 12–8 4th
Fred Boye: 20–17 (.541)
No Coach (Southern Conference) (1921–1923)
1921–22 No Coach 15–6 3–3 T–7th
1922–23 No Coach 15–1 5–0 T–1st
No Coach: 30–7 (.811) 8–3 (.727)
Norman Shepard (Southern Conference) (1923–1924)
1923–24 Norman Shepard 26–0 7–0 T–1st Helms National Champion
Premo–Poretta National Champion
Monk McDonald (Southern Conference) (1924–1925)
1924–25 Monk McDonald 20–5 8–0 1st
Harlan Sanborn (Southern Conference) (1925–1926)
1925–26 Harlan Sanborn 20–5 7–0 T–1st
James Ashmore (Southern Conference) (1926–1931)
1926–27 James Ashmore 17–7 7–3 8th
1927–28 James Ashmore 17–2 8–1 T–3rd
1928–29 James Ashmore 17–8 12–2 2nd
1929–30 James Ashmore 14–11 4–7 6th
1930–31 James Ashmore 15–9 6–6 T–9th
James Ashmore: 80–37 (.684) 37–19 (.661)
George Shepard (Southern Conference) (1931–1935)
1931–32 George Shepard 16–5 6–3 T–5th
1932–33 George Shepard 12–5 5–3 T–5th
1933–34 George Shepard 18–4 12–2 T–2nd
1934–35 George Shepard 23–2 12–1 1st
George Shepard: 69–16 (.812) 35–9 (.795)
Walter Skidmore (Southern Conference) (1935–1939)
1935–36 Walter Skidmore 21–4 13–3 2nd
1936–37 Walter Skidmore 18–5 14–3 2nd
1937–38 Walter Skidmore 16–5 13–3 1st
1938–39 Walter Skidmore 10–11 8–7 7th
Walter Skidmore: 65–25 (.722) 48–16 (.750)
Bill Lange (Southern Conference) (1939–1944)
1939–40 Bill Lange 23–3 11–2 2nd
1940–41 Bill Lange 19–9 14–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight
1941–42 Bill Lange 14–9 9–5 7th
1942–43 Bill Lange 12–10 8–9 11th
1943–44 Bill Lange 17–10 9–1 1st
Bill Lange: 85–41 (.675) 51–18 (.739)
Ben Carnevale (Southern Conference) (1944–1946)
1944–45 Ben Carnevale 22–6 11–3 4th
1945–46 Ben Carnevale 30–5 13–1 1st NCAA Runner–up
Ben Carnevale: 52–11 (.825) 24–4 (.852)
Tom Scott (Southern Conference) (1946–1952)
1946–47 Tom Scott 19–8 10–2 2nd
1947–48 Tom Scott 20–7 11–4 3rd
1948–49 Tom Scott 20–8 13–5 3rd
1949–50 Tom Scott 17–12 13–6 5th
1950–51 Tom Scott 12–15 9–8 9th
1951–52 Tom Scott 12–15 8–11 11th
Tom Scott: 100–65 (.606) 64–36 (.640)
Frank McGuire (Southern Conference) (1952–1953)
1952–53 Frank McGuire 17–10 15–6 8th
Frank McGuire (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1953–1961)
1953–54 Frank McGuire 11–10 5–6 5th
1954–55 Frank McGuire 10–11 8–6 T–4th
1955–56 Frank McGuire 18–5 11–3 T–1st
1956–57 Frank McGuire 32–0 14–0 1st NCAA University Division Champion
1957–58 Frank McGuire 19–7 10–4 T–2nd
1958–59 Frank McGuire 20–5 12–2 T–1st NCAA University Division first round
1959–60 Frank McGuire 18–6 12–2 T–1st
1960–61 Frank McGuire 19–4 12–2 1st
Frank McGuire: 164–58 (.739) 99–31 (.762)
Dean Smith (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1961–1997)
1961–62 Dean Smith 8–9 7–7 T–4th
1962–63 Dean Smith 15–6 10–4 3rd
1963–64 Dean Smith 12–12 6–8 5th
1964–65 Dean Smith 15–9 10–4 T–2nd
1965–66 Dean Smith 16–11 8–6 T–3rd
1966–67 Dean Smith 26–6 12–2 1st NCAA University Division Final Four
1967–68 Dean Smith 28–4 12–2 1st NCAA University Division Runner–up
1968–69 Dean Smith 27–5 12–2 1st NCAA University Division Final Four
1969–70 Dean Smith 18–9 9–5 T–2nd NIT first round
1970–71 Dean Smith 26–6 11–3 1st NIT Champion
1971–72 Dean Smith 26–5 9–3 1st NCAA University Division Final Four
1972–73 Dean Smith 25–8 8–4 2nd NIT Third Place
1973–74 Dean Smith 22–6 9–3 T–2nd NIT first round
1974–75 Dean Smith 23–8 8–4 T–2nd NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
1975–76 Dean Smith 25–4 11–1 1st NCAA Division I first round
1976–77 Dean Smith 28–5 9–3 1st NCAA Division I Runner–up
1977–78 Dean Smith 23–8 9–3 1st NCAA Division I first round
1978–79 Dean Smith 23–6 9–3 T–1st NCAA Division I second round
1979–80 Dean Smith 21–8 9–5 T–2nd NCAA Division I second round
1980–81 Dean Smith 29–8 10–4 2nd NCAA Division I Runner–up
1981–82 Dean Smith 32–2 12–2 T–1st NCAA Division I Champion
1982–83 Dean Smith 28–8 12–2 T–1st NCAA Division I Elite Eight
1983–84 Dean Smith 28–3 14–0 1st NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
1984–85 Dean Smith 27–9 9–5 T–1st NCAA Division I Elite Eight
1985–86 Dean Smith 28–6 10–4 3rd NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
1986–87 Dean Smith 32–4 14–0 1st NCAA Division I Elite Eight
1987–88 Dean Smith 27–7 11–3 1st NCAA Division I Elite Eight
1988–89 Dean Smith 29–8 9–5 T–2nd NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
1989–90 Dean Smith 21–13 8–6 T–3rd NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
1990–91 Dean Smith 29–6 10–4 2nd NCAA Division I Final Four
1991–92 Dean Smith 23–10 9–7 3rd NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
1992–93 Dean Smith 34–4 14–2 1st NCAA Division I Champion
1993–94 Dean Smith 28–7 11–5 2nd NCAA Division I second round
1994–95 Dean Smith 28–6 12–4 T–1st NCAA Division I Final Four
1995–96 Dean Smith 21–11 10–6 3rd NCAA Division I second round
1996–97 Dean Smith 28–7 11–5 T–2nd NCAA Division I Final Four
Dean Smith: 879–254 (.776) 364–136 (.728)
Bill Guthridge (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1997–2000)
1997–98 Bill Guthridge 34–4 13–3 2nd NCAA Division I Final Four
1998–99 Bill Guthridge 24–10 10–6 3rd NCAA Division I first round
1999–00 Bill Guthridge 22–14 9–7 T–3rd NCAA Division I Final Four
Bill Guthridge: 80–28 (.741) 32–16 (.667)
Matt Doherty (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2000–2003)
2000–01 Matt Doherty 26–7 13–3 T–1st NCAA Division I second round
2001–02 Matt Doherty 8–20 4–12 T–7th —
2002–03 Matt Doherty 19–16 6–10 T–6th NIT Quarterfinal
Matt Doherty: 53–43 (.552) 23–25 (.479)
Roy Williams (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2003–2021)
2003–04 Roy Williams 19–11 8–8 5th NCAA Division I second round
2004–05 Roy Williams 33–4 14–2 1st NCAA Division I Champion
2005–06 Roy Williams 23–8 12–4 2nd NCAA Division I second round
2006–07 Roy Williams 31–7 11–5 T–1st NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2007–08 Roy Williams 36–3 14–2 1st NCAA Division I Final Four
2008–09 Roy Williams 34–4 13–3 1st NCAA Division I Champion
2009–10 Roy Williams 20–17 5–11 T-9th NIT Runner–up
2010–11 Roy Williams 29–8 14–2 1st NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2011–12 Roy Williams 32–6 14–2 1st NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2012–13 Roy Williams 25–11 12–6 3rd NCAA Division I second round
2013–14 Roy Williams 24–10 13–5 T–3rd NCAA Division I second round
2014–15 Roy Williams 26–12 11–7 4th NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
2015–16 Roy Williams 33–7 14–4 1st NCAA Division I Runner–up
2016–17 Roy Williams 33–7 14–4 1st NCAA Division I Champion
2017–18 Roy Williams 26–11 11–7 T–3rd NCAA Division I second round
2018–19 Roy Williams 29–7 16–2 T–1st NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
2019–20 Roy Williams 14–19 6–14 T–13th No postseason held (COVID)
2020–21 Roy Williams 18–11 10–6 T–5th NCAA Division I first round
Roy Williams: 485–163 (.748) 212–94 (.693)
Hubert Davis (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2021–Present)
2021–22 Hubert Davis 29–10 15–5 T–2nd NCAA Division I Runner-up
2022–23 Hubert Davis 20–13 11–9 7th Turned down NIT invitation[18]
2023–24 Hubert Davis 29–8 17–3 1st NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
2024–25 Hubert Davis 4–3 0–0
Hubert Davis: 82–34 (.707) 43–17 (.717)
Total: 2,376–863
(.734)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

[19][20]

Postseason playoff results

The NCAA tournament started in 1939 and the number of teams invited to participate has expanded a number of times over the years. Between 1939 and 1950 the tournament had only eight teams, and then between 1951 and 1974 the tournament varied between 16 teams and 25 teams. The tournament has continued to expand over the years, and there are now 68 teams that make it into the tournament.[21] From 1941 to 1981, a third-place game was played as part of the Final Four.

The National Invitation Tournament, meanwhile, began in 1938 with only 6 teams. In 1941 the tournament was expanded to include 8 teams, in 1949 the tournament was again expanded to 12 teams, then 14 teams in 1965, 16 teams in 1968, 24 teams in 1979, 32 teams in 1980, and 40 teams from 2002 through 2006. The tournament reverted to 32 teams for 2007.[22]

Over Tournament Record:

NCAA: 133-50 .726

NIT: 12-5 .705

NCAA Tournament Record by Seed:

#1 (18 times): 65-13 .833 5 National Championships - 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017

#2 (9 times): 23-9 .718

#3 (4 times): 3-4 .428

#4 (2 times): 4-2 .666

#6 (3 times): 3-3 .500

#8 (5 times): 12-5 .705

NCAA Tournament Record by Region:

East (27 times): 75-27 .735 (includes Final Four consolation games) 3 National Championships - 1957, 1982, 1993

West (8 times): 14-8 .636

South (6 times): 18-4 .818 2 National Championships - 2009, 2017

Southeast (4 times): 11-4 .733

Midwest (4 times): 7-4 .636

Syracuse (1 time): 6-0 1.000 1 National Championship - 2005

Atlanta (1 time): 1-1 .500

Washington D.C. (1 time): 1-1 .500

Mideast (1 time): 0-1 .000

Tournament Region (Seed) Results Reference
1941
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 4.0NCAA Elite 8
Lost First Round vs. Pittsburgh, 20–26
Lost Consolation Game vs. Dartmouth, 59–60 		[23][24]
1946
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 02.0NCAA finalist
Won First Round vs. NYU, 57–49
Won Semifinals vs. Ohio State, 60–57 OT
Lost Final vs. Oklahoma A&M, 40–43 		[24][25]
1957
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 01.0NCAA Champion
Won First Round vs. Yale, 90–74
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. Canisius, 87–75
Won Elite Eight vs. Syracuse, 67–58
Won Final Four vs. Michigan State, 74–70 3OT
Won Finals vs. Kansas, 54–53 3OT 		[24][26]
1959
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 7.0NCAA 1.0Sweet 16
Lost First Round vs. Navy, 63–76 		[24][27]
1967
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 03.0NCAA final 4
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. Princeton, 78–70 OT
Won Elite Eight vs. Boston College, 96–80
Lost Final Four vs. Dayton, 62–76
Lost Consolation Game vs. Houston, 62–84 		[24][28]
1968
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 02.0NCAA finalist
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. St. Bonaventure, 91–72
Won Elite Eight vs. Davidson, 70–66
Won Final Four vs. Ohio State, 80–66,
Lost Finals vs. UCLA, 55–78 		[24][29]
1969
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 03.0NCAA final 4
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. Duquesne, 79–78
Won Elite Eight vs. Davidson, 87–85
Lost Final Four vs. Purdue, 65–92
Lost Consolation Game vs. Drake, 84–104 		[24][30]
1970
NIT 		26 9.2NIT first round
Lost First Round vs. Manhattan, 95–90 		[31]
1971
NIT 		26 8.0NIT Champion
Won First Round vs. Massachusetts, 90–49
Won Quarterfinals vs. Providence, 86–79
Won Semifinals vs. Duke, 73–69,
Won Finals vs. Georgia Tech, 84–66 		[31]
1972
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 03.0NCAA final 4
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. South Carolina, 92–69
Won Elite Eight vs. Penn, 73–59
Lost Final Four vs. Florida State, 75–79
Won Consolation Game vs. Louisville, 105–91 		[24][32]
1973
NIT 		26 9.0NIT Final Four
Won First Round vs. Oral Roberts, 82–65
Won Quarterfinals vs. UMass, 73–63
Lost Semifinals vs. Notre Dame, 71–78 		[31]
1974
NIT 		26 9.2.0NIT first round
Lost First Round vs. Purdue, 82–71 		[31]
1975
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 5.0NCAA Sweet 16
Won First Round vs. New Mexico State, 93–69
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. Syracuse, 76–78
Won Consolation Game vs. Boston College, 110–90 		[24][33]
1976
NCAA tournament 		Mideast (-) 7.0NCAA 1st Round
Lost First Round vs. Alabama, 64–79 		[24][34]
1977
NCAA tournament 		East (-) 02.0NCAA finalist

Won First Round vs. Purdue, 69–66
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. Notre Dame, 79–77
Won Elite Eight vs. Kentucky, 79–72
Won Final Four vs. UNLV, 84–83
Lost Finals vs. Marquette, 59–67

[24][35]
1978
NCAA tournament 		West (-) 7.0NCAA 1st Round
Lost First Round vs. San Francisco, 64–68 		[24][36]
1979
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 6.0NCAA 2nd Round
Lost Second Round vs. (9) Penn, 71–72 		[24][37]
1980
NCAA tournament 		Midwest (3) 6.0NCAA 2nd Round
Lost Second Round vs. (6) Texas A&M, 61–78 2OT 		[24][38]
1981
NCAA tournament 		West (2) 02.0NCAA finalist
Won First Round vs. (10) Pitt, 74–57
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (3) Utah, 61–56
Won Elite Eight vs. (8) Kansas State, 82–68
Won Final Four vs. (1) Virginia, 78–65
Lost Finals vs. (3) Indiana, 50–63 		[24][39]
1982
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 01.0 NCAA Champion
Won First Round vs. (9) James Madison, 52–50
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Alabama, 74–69
Won Elite Eight vs. (3) Villanova, 70–60
Won Final Four vs. (6) Houston, 68–63
Won Finals vs. (1) Georgetown, 63–62 		[24][40]
1983
NCAA tournament 		East (2) 4.0NCAA Elite 8
Won First Round vs. (10) James Madison, 68–49
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (3) Ohio State, 64–51
Lost Elite Eight vs. (4) Georgia, 77–82 		[41][42]
1984
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 5.0NCAA Sweet 16
Won First Round vs. (8) Temple, 77–66
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Indiana, 68–72 		[43][44]
1985
NCAA tournament 		Southeast (2) 4.0NCAA Elite 8
Won First Round vs. (15) Middle Tenn St, 76–57
Won Second Round vs. (7) Notre Dame, 60–58
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (11) Auburn, 62–56
Lost Elite Eight vs. (8) Villanova, 44–56 		[44][45]
1986
NCAA tournament 		West (3) 5.0NCAA Sweet 16
Won First Round vs. (14) Utah, 84–72
Won Second Round vs. (6) UAB, 77–59
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (2) Louisville, 79–94 		[44][46]
1987
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 4.0NCAA Elite 8
Won First Round vs. (16) Penn, 113–82
Won Second Round vs. (9) Michigan, 109–97
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (5) Notre Dame, 74–68
Lost Elite Eight vs. (2) Syracuse, 75–79
 [44][47]
1988
NCAA tournament 		West (2) 4.0NCAA Elite 8
Won First Round vs. (15) North Texas, 83–65
Won Second Round vs. (10) Loyola Marymount, 123–97
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (3) Michigan, 78–69
Lost Elite Eight vs. (1) Arizona, 52–70 		[44][48]
1989
NCAA tournament 		Southeast (2) 5.0NCAA Sweet 16
Won First Round vs. (15) Southern, 93–79
Won Second Round vs. (7) UCLA, 88–81
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (3) Michigan, 87–92 		[44][49]
1990
NCAA tournament 		Midwest (8) 5.0NCAA Sweet 16
Won First Round vs. (9) SW Missouri State, 83–70
Won Second Round vs. (1) Oklahoma, 79–77
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Arkansas, 73–96 		[44][50]
1991
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 03.0NCAA final 4
Won First Round vs. (16) Northeastern, 101–66
Won Second Round vs. (9) Villanova, 84–69
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (12) Eastern Michigan, 93–67
Won Elite Eight vs. (10) Temple, 75–72
Lost Final Four vs. (3) Kansas, 73–79 		[44][51]
1992
NCAA tournament 		Southeast (4) 5.0NCAA Sweet 16
Won First Round vs. (13) Miami (OH), 68–63
Won Second Round vs. (5) Alabama, 64–55
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (1) Ohio State, 73–80 		[44][52]
1993
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 01.0 NCAA Champion
Won First Round vs. (16) East Carolina, 85–65
Won Second Round vs. (8) Rhode Island, 112–67
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Arkansas, 80–74
Won Elite Eight vs. (2) Cincinnati, 75–68 OT
Won Final Four vs. (2) Kansas, 78–68
Won Finals vs. (1) Michigan, 77–71 		[44][53]
1994
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 6.0NCAA 2.02nd Round
Won First Round vs. (16) Liberty, 71–51
Lost Second Round vs. (9) Boston College, 72–75
 [54][55]
1995
NCAA tournament 		Southeast (2) 03.0NCAA final 4
Won First Round vs. (15) Murray State, 80–70
Won Second Round vs. (7) Iowa State, 73–51
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (6) Georgetown, 74–64
Won Elite Eight vs. (1) Kentucky, 74–61
Lost Final Four vs. (2) Arkansas, 68–75 		[56][57]
1996
NCAA tournament 		East (6) 6.0NCAA 2nd Round
Won First Round vs. (11) New Orleans, 83–62
Lost Second Round vs. (3) Texas Tech, 73–92
 [57][58]
1997
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 03.0NCAA final 4
Won First Round vs. (16) Fairfield, 82–74
Won Second Round vs. (9) Colorado, 73–56
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (5) California, 63–57
Won Elite Eight vs. (6) Louisville, 97–74
Lost Final Four vs. (4) Arizona, 66–58 		[57][59]
1998
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 03.0NCAA final 4
Won First Round vs. (16) Navy, 88–52
Won Second Round vs. (8) UNC Charlotte, 93–83 OT
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Michigan State, 73–58
Won Elite Eight vs. (2) UConn, 75–64
Lost Final Four vs. (2) Utah, 59–66 		[57][60]
1999
NCAA tournament 		West (3) 7.0NCAA 1.01st Round
Lost First Round vs. (14) Weber State, 74–76 		[57][61]
2000
NCAA tournament 		South (8) 03.0NCAA final 4
Won First Round vs. (9) Missouri, 84–70
Won Second Round vs. (1) Stanford, 60–53
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Tennessee, 74–69
Won Elite Eight vs. (7) Tulsa, 59–55
Lost Final Four vs. (5) Florida, 59–71 		[57][62]
2001
NCAA tournament 		South (2) 6.0NCAA 2.02nd Round
Won First Round vs. (15) Princeton, 70–48
Lost Second Round vs. (7) Penn State, 74–82 		[57][63]
2003
NIT 		26 9.1NIT Quarterfinalist
Won First Round vs. DePaul, 83–72
Won Second Round vs. Wyoming, 90–74
Lost Quarterfinals vs. Georgetown, 74–79 		[64]
2004
NCAA tournament 		Atlanta (6) 6.0NCAA 2nd Round
Won First Round vs. (11) Air Force, 63–52
Lost Second Round vs. (3) Texas, 75–78 		[57][65]
2005
NCAA tournament 		Syracuse (1) 01.0NCAA Champion
Won First Round vs. (16) Oakland, 96–68
Won Second Round vs. (8) Iowa State, 92–65
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (5) Villanova, 67–66
Won Elite Eight vs. (6) Wisconsin, 88–82
Won Final Four vs. (5) Michigan State, 87–71
Won Finals vs. (1) Illinois, 75–70 		[57][66]
2006
NCAA tournament 		Washington D.C. (3) 6.0NCAA 2nd Round
Won First Round vs. (14) Murray State, 69–65
Lost Second Round vs. (11) George Mason, 60–65 		[57][67]
2007
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 4.0NCAA Elite 8
Won First Round vs. (16) Eastern Kentucky, 86–65
Won Second Round vs. (9) Michigan State, 81–67
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (5) USC, 74–64
Lost Elite Eight vs. (2) Georgetown, 84–96 OT 		[57][68]
2008
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 03.0NCAA final 4
Won First Round vs. (16) Mount St. Mary's, 113–74
Won Second Round vs. (9) Arkansas, 108–77
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Washington State, 68–47
Won Elite Eight vs. (3) Louisville, 83–73
Lost Final Four vs. Kansas, 66–84 		[69]
2009
NCAA tournament 		South (1) 01.0NCAA Champion
Won First Round vs. (16) Radford, 101–58
Won Second Round vs. (9) LSU, 84–70
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Gonzaga, 98–77
Won Elite Eight vs. (2) Oklahoma, 72–60
Won Final Four vs. (3)Villanova, 83–69
Won Finals vs. (2) Michigan St, 89–72 		[70]
2010
NIT 		8.5NIT Finalist
Won First Round vs. (5) William & Mary, 80–72
Won Second Round vs. (1) Mississippi State,76–74
Won Third Round vs. (2) Alabama–Birmingham,60–55
Won Semifinals vs. (2) Rhode Island, 68–67 OT
Lost Finals vs. (3) Dayton, 68–79 		[71]
2011
NCAA tournament 		East (2) 01.0NCAA Elite 8
Won First Round vs. (15) Long Island, 102–87
Won Second Round vs. (7) Washington, 86–83
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (11) Marquette, 81–63
Lost Elite Eight vs. (4) Kentucky, 69–76
 [72]
2012
NCAA tournament 		Midwest (1) 01.0NCAA Elite 8
Won First Round vs. (16) Vermont, 77–58
Won Second Round vs. (8) Creighton, 87–73
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (13) Ohio, 73–65 OT
Lost Elite Eight vs. (2) Kansas, 67–80
 [73]
2013
NCAA tournament 		South (8) 01.0NCAA 2nd Round
Won First Round vs. (9) Villanova, 78–71
Lost Second Round vs. (1) Kansas, 58–70
 [74]
2014
NCAA tournament 		East (6) 01.0NCAA 2nd Round
Won First Round vs. (11) Providence, 79–77
Lost Second Round vs. (3) Iowa State, 83–85
 [75]
2015
NCAA tournament 		West (4) 01.0NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Won First Round vs. (12) Harvard, 67–65
Won Second Round vs. (5) Arkansas, 87–78
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (1) Wisconsin, 72–79
 [76]
2016
NCAA tournament 		East (1) 01.0NCAA finalist
Won First Round vs. (16) Florida Gulf Coast, 83–67
Won Second Round vs. (9) Providence, 85–66
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (5) Indiana, 101–86
Won Elite Eight vs. (6) Notre Dame, 88–74
Won Final Four vs. (10) Syracuse, 83–66
Lost Finals vs. (2) Villanova, 74–77
 [77]
2017
NCAA tournament 		South (1) 01.0NCAA Champion
Won First Round vs. (16) Texas Southern, 103–64
Won Second Round vs. (8) Arkansas, 72–65
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Butler, 92–80
Won Elite Eight vs. (2) Kentucky, 75–73
Won Final Four vs. (3) Oregon, 77–76
Won Finals vs. (1) Gonzaga, 71–65
 [78]
2018
NCAA tournament 		West (2) 01.0NCAA 2nd Round
Won First Round vs. (15) Lipscomb, 84–66
Lost Second Round vs. (7) Texas A&M, 65–86
 [79]
2019
NCAA tournament 		Midwest (1) 01.0NCAA Sweet 16
Won First Round vs. (16) Iona, 88–73
Won Second Round vs. (9) Washington, 81–59
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (5) Auburn, 80–97
 [80]
2021
NCAA tournament 		South (8) 01.0NCAA 1st Round
Lost First Round vs. (9) Wisconsin, 62–85
 [81]
2022
NCAA tournament 		East (8) 01.0NCAA finalist
Won First Round vs. (9) Marquette, 95–63
Won Second Round vs. (1) Baylor, 93–86
Won Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) UCLA, 73–66
Won Elite Eight vs. (15) St. Peters, 69–49
Won Final Four vs. (2) Duke, 81–77
Lost Finals vs. (1) Kansas, 69–72
 [82]
2024
NCAA tournament 		West (1) 01.0NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Won First Round vs. (16) Wagner, 90–62
Won Second Round vs. (9) Michigan State, 85–69
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (4) Alabama, 87–89
 [83]

References

General
  • "2009–10 Basketball Carolina Tar Heels Media Guide" (PDF). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 2009. pp. 179–180. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
Specific
  1. ^ "Division I All-Time Winningest Teams (through 2008-09 season)" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  2. ^ "UNC versus NC State game notes". February 3, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  3. ^ "UNC Outlasts Oklahoma, 72-60". Tarheelblue.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  4. ^ "Tar Heels Earn No. 1 Seed In NCAA Tournament South Regional". Tarheelblue.com. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  5. ^ "North Carolina vs. Oklahoma Post Game Notes". Tarheelblue.com. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c North Carolina Tar Heels Media Guide
  7. ^ Peeler, Tim (November 2, 2001). "Once again, Duke leads the way". CNNSI.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2001. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
  8. ^ Southern Conference Fan Guide
  9. ^ The Helms Foundation named its own national college basketball champion for each year from 1936 through 1982. The foundation also retroactively awarded championships from 1901 through 1935. While the 1924 team was undefeated, they did not play a single opponent from north of the Mason–Dixon line; indeed, intersectional play would not start on a regular basis for another decade. However, the 1924 Tar Heels did beat the Kentucky Wildcats that season in a battle of what most considered the two best teams in the nation.
  10. ^ Official ACC Web Site Archived 2007-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "LSDBi". Goomer.ncaa.org. Retrieved September 25, 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ This record for the most wins would later be surpassed by Bob Knight in 2007.
  13. ^ "NCAA stats". NCAA. NCAA. Archived from the original on October 8, 2006. Retrieved February 1, 2007.
  14. ^ "Dean Smith Biography". Hall of Famers. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Inc. Archived from the original on May 5, 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2006.
  15. ^ "ACC 50th Anniversary Team". NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2006.
  16. ^ ESPN article on Doherty's acceptance of head coach at North Carolina
  17. ^ "SI.com — 2005 Sportsman of the Year — My Sportsman Choice: Roy Williams — Monday November 28, 2005 1:10PM". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. November 28, 2005. Archived from the original on November 30, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  18. ^ Rasmussen, Karl. "North Carolina Turns Down NIT After Missing NCAA Tournament". Sports Illustrated. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  19. ^ 2014-15 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball record book Archived 2015-02-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Apr-25.
  20. ^ "North Carolina Tar Heels Index | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "This Overtime Lasts 25 Years :: The 1974 team left it all out on the floor". Umterps.cstv.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  22. ^ History of NIT
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  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p 2007-08 North Carolina men's basketball media guide 2007, p.105
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  26. ^ 1957 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  27. ^ 1959 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  28. ^ 1967 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  29. ^ 1968 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  30. ^ 1969 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
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  34. ^ 1976 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-01-19 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  35. ^ 1977 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  36. ^ 1978 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2009-04-13 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  37. ^ 1979 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-04-10 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  38. ^ 1980 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-04-10 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  39. ^ 1981 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  40. ^ 1982 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  41. ^ 1983 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  42. ^ 2007-08 North Carolina men's basketball media guide 2007, p.105-106
  43. ^ 1984 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 2007-08 North Carolina men's basketball media guide 2007, p.106
  45. ^ 1985 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  46. ^ 1986 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  47. ^ 1987 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2009-02-26 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  48. ^ 1988 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-06-12 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  49. ^ 1989 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-06-12 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  50. ^ 1990 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  51. ^ 1991 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  52. ^ 1992 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2003-04-22 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  53. ^ 1993 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-03-02 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  54. ^ 1994 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  55. ^ 2007-08 North Carolina men's basketball media guide 2007, p.106-107
  56. ^ 1995 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  57. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 2007-08 North Carolina men's basketball media guide 2007, p.107
  58. ^ 1996 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  59. ^ 1997 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  60. ^ 1998 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-05 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  61. ^ 1999 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  62. ^ 2000 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  63. ^ 2001 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  64. ^ NIT Official Site-Tournament Results for the 2000s Archived 2009-05-24 at the Wayback Machine
  65. ^ 2004 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  66. ^ 2005 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  67. ^ 2006 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2008-09-03 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  68. ^ 2007 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2007-06-19 at archive.today on Shrp Sports
  69. ^ 2008 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine on Shrp Sports
  70. ^ 2009 NCAA basketball tournament Archived 2010-05-26 at archive.today on Shrp Sports
  71. ^ NIT Bracket on NIT website
  72. ^ 2011 NCAA basketball tournament[permanent dead link‍] on Shrp Sports
  73. ^ 2012 North Carolina Tar Heels on Sports Reference College Basketball
  74. ^ 2013 North Carolina Tar Heels on Sports Reference College Basketball
  75. ^ 2014 North Carolina Tar Heels on Sports Reference College Basketball
  76. ^ 2015 North Carolina Tar Heels on Sports Reference College Basketball
  77. ^ 2016 North Carolina Tar Heels on Sports Reference College Basketball
  78. ^ 2016-17 UNC Tar Heels Schedule and Results on Sports Reference College Basketball
  79. ^ 2017-18 UNC Tar Heels Schedule and Results on Sports Reference College Basketball
  80. ^ 2018-19 UNC Tar Heels Schedule and Results on Sports Reference College Basketball
  81. ^ 2020-21 UNC Tar Heels Schedule and Results on Sports Reference College Basketball
  82. ^ 2022 North Carolina Tar Heels on Sports Reference College Basketball
  83. ^ 2023-24 UNC Tar Heels Schedule and Results on Sports Reference College Basketball