UNC Basketball: Top 15 moments under Roy Williams

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – MARCH 06: Fans cheer before the start of the Duke Blue Devils versus North Carolina Tar Heels game on March 6, 2005 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels defeated the Blue Devils 75-73. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Roy Williams’ first win vs. Duke

By Zack Pearson

This is a special one for UNC fans. After starting his career 0-3 vs. Duke as head coach of North Carolina, Williams, and the Tar Heels earned a big win in a dramatic finish during the 2004-05 season.

On Senior Night, the No. 2 Tar Heels took down No. 6 Duke in the regular season finale moving them to 26-3 and 14-2 in ACC play to close it out. It also helped them build momentum to what would be a national championship run.

While the two teams battled back and forth, with UNC missing Rashad McCants, the signature moment in this one came from freshman Marvin Williams. UNC went on a 7-0 run late to pull to within two at 73-71 with 19 seconds left. As Raymond Felton drew a foul to send him to the line, the point guard made the first before missing the second. That’s where the magic happened.

On the miss, Williams grabbed the loose ball and instead of kicking it out had the instinct to put it back up. As Williams goes up, he’s fouled and the ball banks in for an And-1 to give UNC a 74-73 lead with 17 seconds left and the Dean Dome going nuts.

Williams then drained the free throw to give UNC a 75-73 lead before a Duke timeout. The Tar Heels would make one last defensive stand as J.J. Redick’s three rimmed out and Daniel Ewing’s jumper missed.

It was a significant win for Williams as he got the monkey off his back with his first win over the hated Blue Devils.

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