Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Basketball: 10 most underappreciated Tar Heels of all-time

By Nick Delahanty

CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 04: A overhead general view of the Dean E. Smith Center during a game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils on March 04, 2023 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 62-57. Pictured is R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbling the ball. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 04: A overhead general view of the Dean E. Smith Center during a game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils on March 04, 2023 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 62-57. Pictured is R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbling the ball. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – JANUARY 17: Ben Gordon #4 and Shamon Tooles #30 of the University of Connecticut Huskies race for a loose ball against Melvin Scott #1 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels January 17, 2004 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – JANUARY 17: Ben Gordon #4 and Shamon Tooles #30 of the University of Connecticut Huskies race for a loose ball against Melvin Scott #1 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels January 17, 2004 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images) /

UNC basketball underappreciated Tar Heel No. 8: Melvin Scott (2001-2005)

If it wasn’t for Melvin Scott, the UNC basketball program may not have won the national title during the 2004-2005 season.

When star point guard Raymond Felton was on the floor, the UNC basketball program looked unstoppable. However, when he wasn’t on the court, it was a much different team.

Remember: Felton was suspended for the opening game of the season, one that resulted in a UNC basketball program loss to Santa Clara.

In the Sweet 16 against Villanova, Felton fouled out with 2:11 remaining on the clock, leaving North Carolina with some doubt to hold on over the final minutes of play.

Insert Melvin Scott, who stepped up when his team needed him the most.

Scott took over running the Tar Heels offense, as they only recorded one turnover over the final minutes of action. He went on to make two clutch free throws and was part of the biggest play of the game, one that sealed the victory.

Although there was a potential foul on a shot attempt on Allan Ray, a travel was called, thus giving the Tar Heels the ball with a three-point lead. That stop, and an ensuing free throw, secured a one-point win and a trip to the Elite Eight for the UNC basketball program.

Scott saw time as both a starter and reserve during his time in Chapel Hill. Regardless, he was a player who always gave it his all, as he made winning plays that helped guide the team’s success over his tenure.

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