UNC Basketball: A Comparison of the ’05 and ’09 Championship Teams.
By Jordan Tate
Editors Note: Jordan Tate continues his tryout to become a writer here at Keeping It Heel
In all of my 19 years, I haven’t seen many teams quite as dominant as the 2004-2005 and 2008-2009 UNC National Title teams. The two squads have some eerily similar comparisons at the individual level, and the broad level. These are by far my two favorite UNC teams that I’ve seen in my lifetime.
Raymond Felton vs. Ty Lawson:
I will start off at the point guard position; the floor general of both teams. Felton and Lawson are two of the greatest point guards Chapel Hill has ever seen, and it shows in their statistics. Felton, the floor general on the ’05 squad, earned a spot on the All-ACC first team by exploring his abilities to shoot the ball (especially behind the arc,) as well as his ability to pass the ball. He averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and almost 7 assists per game during that season. He shot 44% from behind the arc, and was good to play 40 minutes of hard defense every game.
Although he averaged 3.6 turnovers a game, his playmaking abilities overwhelmed opponents and led the Tar Heels to the National Title. Ty Lawson was one of the keys to UNC winning the ’09 championship. His superior speed with the ball set him apart from any point guard I had ever seen. In addition, he shot the ball very well during his time at Chapel Hill. He shot 53% from the field, as well as 47% from the three-point line; all while combining for 16.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per contest. He only turned the ball over 1.9 times per game, and earned himself the ACC
Player of the Year award, in addition to being a Second Team All-American selection.
Rashad McCants vs. Wayne Ellington- Both known for their superior shooting abilities, these two wingmen proved to be very vital parts of their respective championships runs. Two polar opposites in demeanor showed many similarities when it came to shooting ability and clutch plays. Rashad McCants was known for his flamboyant attitude and his excessive celebrations. His most famous celebration was his “Jay-Z esque” diamond celebration after hitting a big three. He averaged 16 points during the 2004-2005 campaign, while shooting close to 50% from the field. He showed prolific scoring abilities and was a major part of that team. He also earned himself a sport on the All-ACC third team. Wayne Ellington was a very different character than McCants, but proved to be just as vital to the team. Ellington averaged 15.8 PPG in ’09, while compiling close to 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. He was best known for his scoring ability, and clutch play. He was awarded the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding player award. He really knew how to “Make it Wayne” on the defenders.
Jackie Manuel vs. Danny Green: Manuel and Green were two very different types of players, and assumed very different roles for their teams. However, I have paired these two together as the “glue” for their squads. I refer to the as “role” players, but they would ultimately prove to be extremely vital. Jackie Manuel was a defensive specialist of sorts, and that is what he was known for. He only averaged 5.5 PPG, but his defensive efforts earned him a sport on the ACC All-Defensive team. Despite his low scoring statistics, he was known to make a poster out of defenders every once in a while (just ask Julius Hodge about that.) Speaking of posters, Danny Green is known for his “poster shot” over Greg Paulus at Duke the year before his title run. After coming off the bench his junior year, and abandoning his spot as the teams professional hype man, he assumed a starting role his senior year (due to the absence of Marcus Ginyard.) He was known for hitting open three’s and locking down on defense. He averaged 13.1 points per game, while shooting 47% from the field, 41% from three, and 85% from the charity strike. He was selected to the All-ACC third team.
Jawad Williams vs. Deon Thompson: Williams 13.1 points per game proved vital for the Tar Heels. For a big man, standing at 6’11, he showed very impressive shooting numbers. He shot 51% from the field, and compiled at 39% shooting percentage from three (very impressive for a big man.) His impressive wingspan and athleticism helped him on defense, as he was very good at picking defenders and blocking shots. He was voted to the All-ACC third team.
Deon Thompson was a great big man who showed impressive post moves, and dominant defensive tactics. Although he was under the shadow of the great Tyler Hanbrough, he still showed abilities that helped him make a name for himself. The solid contributor compiled 10.6 PPG and 5.7 rebounds. In addition, his 1.1 blocks per game proved to be a huge factor in UNC’s defensive strategy. He was great a grabbing rebounds over defenders, as he used his broad 6’9 frame to fend of the opposition.
Sean May vs. Tyler Hansbrough: Two of UNC’s greats proved to be maybe the most vital parts of their championship teams. Sean May averaged 17.5 points per game, and 10.7 rebounds. He shot the ball at around 57% from the field and 76% from the free throw line. He was known for his hard work and will to succeed. He had good hands and a big body, which allowed him to block out defenders and grab rebound over them. He was a monster in the post, and rarely missed passes that were thrown to him in the paint. He showed an excellent post presence on both the offensive and defensive ends. He was a part of the All-ACC first team, and All-American second team. In addition, he was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, as well as the MVP for the Final Four; which took place during his birthday.
Happy Birthday Sean! Last, but certainly not least, I want to talk about Tyler Hansbrough. Also known has “Psycho-T” due to his effort and will to work in the weight room, he proved to be one of UNC’s most dominant player of all time. I have never, in my 19 years, seen a player who worked harder than Mr. Hansbrough. He literally never took a play off. He compiled very impressive numbers, averaging 20.7 PPG and 8.1 rebounds.
He was known for his passion and hard work, two categories that were unmatched by any other player in the NCAA that year. His signature move was the old fashioned three point play. No one could discourage him from succeeding (not even Gerald Henderson.) He was selected to the All-ACC first team and was named National Player of the Year. In addition, he shattered both the UNC and ACC scoring records; surpassing Phil Ford and JJ Redick respectively. He was by far the most dominant player I have ever seen wear Carolina blue.
In addition to the various individual similarities between these two teams, the broad perspective allows for similarities as well. These teams proved to be the most dominant teams those years, while compiling similar records (33-4 in ’05, and 34-4 in ’09.) These are by far my two favorite teams to ever wander these parts, and I am reminded every time I enter the “Dean Dome” and look up into the rafters. Two truly dominant teams, leaving two legacies that I will never forget.