NCAA Tournament: 10 best individual performances in UNC Tournament history

James Worthy – 1982 national championship vs. Georgetown

Many people remember Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA national championship. This shot made Jordan a star and basketball phenom.

However, it was James Worthy who earned the 1982 Most Outstanding Player Award for his performance.

Worthy was a force on both ends of the floor in this game. Worthy finished the game with 28 points, four rebounds and three steals. He posterized opposing players without hesitation.

His trademark “Statue of Liberty” dunk was unstoppable.

Georgetown’s seven-foot freshman Patrick Ewing could not stop Worthy in this game. The only player who could stop Worthy was himself, and that was not going to happen.

Worthy’s key steal in the last few seconds of the title game sealed the victory for the Tar Heels.

Shortly after this game, Worthy made his decision to forego his senior season at UNC. He was the selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft.

Shammond Williams – 1998 Round of 32 vs. UNC-Charlotte

During the 1997-98 season, the North Carolina Tar Heels were the best team in the nation. However, they did not win the national championship.

In this game against UNC-Charlotte, the No. 1 seed Tar Heels were pushed to the brink of elimination by the No. 8 seed 49ers.

Shammond Williams put the Tar Heels on his back and delivered a record performance. Williams led all scorers with 32 points (10-of-14 from the field, 6-of-9 from three-point range, 6-of-6 from free throw line) along with five assists and five rebounds.

He holds the UNC record for most three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game with six.