Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Basketball: Top 15 moments under Roy Williams

By Zack Pearson

DURHAM, NC - MARCH 04: Tyler Hansbrough #50 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 83-76 during their game on March 4, 2006 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - MARCH 04: Tyler Hansbrough #50 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 83-76 during their game on March 4, 2006 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 16
Next
UNC Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 12: Rashad McCants #32 of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels holds the ball above his head during the game against the University of Virginia Cavaliers at Dean E. Smith Center on February 12, 2003 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 81-67. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images) /

Roy Williams’ first win

By Nick Delahanty

Heading into the 2003-2004 season, there were a lot of questions surrounding the UNC basketball program. Over the previous two seasons, the program lost a combined 36 games and was desperately looking to get back on track. Looking for a program resurgence, North Carolina tabbed Roy Williams as their new head coach. After winning 418 games at Kansas, it was going to be up to Williams to get his alma mater back on track.

On November 22, 2003, the Roy Williams era got off to a great start. The Tar Heels defeated Old Dominion 90-64 in their season opener in Chapel Hill. With the legendary Dean Smith and Bill Guthridge in attendance, the Williams-led Tar Heels shot a rather impressive 61 percent from the floor in their coach’s debut.

Rashad McCants led the Tar Heels with 18 points and also chipped in a career-high eight assists. Sean May, who missed a majority of the prior season due to a stress fracture in his foot, added 17 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks of his own to help lead the Tar Heels to victory.

Little did anyone know at the time, this would be the first of 485 victories that Williams would lead the Tar Heels to during his tenure. Although there were plenty of victories over his 18 years in Chapel Hill, you have to think that this one was definitely a special one for Williams.

Not only was he returning to his alma mater, but he also had his mentor in attendance to watch. Williams knew that he had big shoes to fill, as the void from the Smith era still loomed over North Carolina. However, Williams embraced the challenge and was able to make a legendary legacy of his own.

This night marked the start of yet another special era in North Carolina men’s basketball history.

Home/UNC Basketball