Keeping It Heel
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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) /
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ST. LOUIS – APRIL 04: The North Carolina Tar Heels celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini 75-70 to win the NCAA Men’s National Championship game at the Edward Jones Dome on April 4, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS – APRIL 04: The North Carolina Tar Heels celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini 75-70 to win the NCAA Men’s National Championship game at the Edward Jones Dome on April 4, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2005 National Championship

By Richard Adkins

Anytime the buzzer sounds with emotions at their highest it sets the tone for a moment. This career-defining moment not only got UNC basketball its first championship in over a decade but also got Roy Williams his very first.

In just his second season as the UNC basketball head coach,  Williams coached the 2004-2005 team into the history books forever. The team that many considered as one of the best UNC basketball teams in the last two decades had a roster filled with talent and fan favorites. Raymond Felton, Marvin Williams, Rashad McCants, and the most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament Sean May all laced up for this magical season. The star-studded cast would not disappoint showing a complete performance throughout the season dominating teams left and right.

Carolina went 26-3 in the regular season with a 14-2 record in conference play before a disappointing loss in the ACC tournament. Despite not winning the conference title it was no denying the greatness this team had in the regular season, which resulted in the program getting the 1st seed in the NCAA tournament.

Carolina playing for the bigger prize would not disappoint this time winning round 64, and 32 by more than 20 points each. The Sweet 16 would come down to a nail-bitter against Villanova with Carolina escaping with a 67-66 victory. The Elite Eight would be just as tough but Williams kept the team focused winning 88-82 over Wisconsin granting Carolina a Final Four ticket.

Carolina kept the opponents on their heels despite the best of the best being left beating Michigan St 87-71. The moment finally came when it came down to the two as No. 1 Illinois took on No. 2 North Carolina leaving the best to play the best. It was a great game, which saw Sean May drop 26 points while cleaning the glass for 10 rebounds. Carolina would win 75-70, capping off Williams’ first championship and a moment Carolina fans will cherish forever.

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