Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: 10 best moments in NCAA Tournament history

By Horran Cameron

Mar 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; A detailed shot of March Madness logos on chairs in the bench area before a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; A detailed shot of March Madness logos on chairs in the bench area before a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dean Smith sets career victory record against Colorado in 1997

Almost 20 years ago to this date, legendary head coach Dean Smith set a record. On March 15, 1997, the North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 73-56.

The victory marked Smith’s 877th victory as a head coach. In fact, this win broke Adolph Rupp’s record of 876 victories in NCAA Division I basketball.

As a sophomore, Antawn Jamison led the Tar Heels to victory with 19 points and 16 rebounds.

UNC point guard Ed Cota finished the game with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Shammond Williams had 15 points and two assists. Ademola Okulaja scored 12 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished four assists.

Two games later, the 1997 Tar Heels squad earned a berth to the Final Four. The 1997 Final Four would mark Smith’s last Final Four as a head coach. Shortly after the 1997 season, Smith announced his retirement.

The Tar Heels were a No. 1 seed in 1997. In the Final Four, they were defeated by the Arizona Cardinals, 66-58. Arizona became the national champions two nights later by defeating the Kentucky Wildcats in overtime, 84-79.

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