Rank ‘Em: Best Decades of Tar Heel Basketball Since 1950

#5 – 1970’s

In the 70’s the Heels proved to everyone they weren’t a flash in the pan program. Dean Smith was a serious player in the world of college basketball coaches, as he was the head coach of the 1976 Olympic men’s basketball team that won a gold medal with four of his players (Walter Davis, Phil Ford, Mitch Kupchak, and Tommy Lagarde). He also had Bill Guthridge along as an assistant coach. The season following the Olympic gold medal the Tar Heels returned to the NCAA tournament championship game where they fell short to Marquette 67-59.

Accomplishments:
6 NCAA tournament appearances (1972, 1975-1979)
2 Final Fours (1972, 1977)
1 National Runner-Up (1977)
6 ACC tournament championships (1971 & 1972, 1976-1979)
4 ACC regular season championships (1972, 1975, 1977, 1979)
1 NIT championship (1971)
239 victories

2 ACC POY’s
Mitch Kupchak (1976)
Phil Ford (1978)

Retired numbers
#12 Phil Ford (1974-1978)

NBA Alumni (17): Dick Grubar (1970), Bill Bunting (1970-1972), Charlie Scott (1971-1980), Dennis Wuycik (1973-1975), Stephen Previs (1973), Bob McAdoo (1973-1986), Bill Chamberlain (1973-1974), George Karl (1974-1978), Donald Washington (1975-1976), Bobby Jones (1975-1986), Darrell Elston (1975-1977), Mitch Kupchak (1977-1986), Tom LaGarde (1978-1985), John Kuester (1978-1980), Walter Davis (1978-1992), Phil Ford (1979-1985), Geoff Crompton (1979-1984)

*1,000th victory took place on January 29, 1972 against in a 92-72 blowout of Maryland.