Keeping It Heel
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Top 5 Opponents vs. UNC in Final Four history

By Horran Cameron

Feb 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar watches the game between the UCLA Bruins and the Washington Huskies at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar watches the game between the UCLA Bruins and the Washington Huskies at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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1982 Houston Cougars 

Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

This team does not get the respect that they deserve. In the early 1980s, the Houston Cougars went to three consecutive Final Fours (1982-1984). Houston lost in the national championship in 1983 (N.C. State) and 1984 (Georgetown).

This team was nicknamed, “Phi Slama Jama.” Houston was led by Rob Williams, Michael Young, Larry Micheaux and Clyde Drexler. Although Hakeem Olajuwon was on this team, he did not get a lot of playing time.

In 1982, Houston lost 68-63 in the national semifinals to the eventual champion, the North Carolina Tar Heels. Drexler had 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Micheaux had 18 points and six rebounds. Lynden Rose scored 20 points, grabbed two rebounds and had three assists. In 20 minutes, Olajuwon had two points and six rebounds.

Carolina’s “Big Three” of Sam Perkins, Michael Jordan and James Worthy were too much for Houston. Perkins led the way with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan had 18 points, five rebounds and two assists. Worthy had 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. Every player in Carolina’s starting lineup played at least 37 minutes in this game. Perkins, Jordan and Worthy played 39 minutes each.

Seven players from Houston’s team played in the NBA, most notably Drexler and Olajuwon. Drexler and Olajuwon became Hall of Famers. They also won a NBA championship in 1995 with the NBA’s Houston Rockets.

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