UNC Basketball: Expert Ranks Top Basketball Programs Since 2000

The UNC Basketball program is considered a blue blood in college basketball. Where do the Tar Heels rank since 2000? Jamie Shaw provides his insight.

Last week, On3 Sports expert Jamie Shaw named his starting five UNC basketball players since the year 2000. A few days later, Shaw has ranked the top ten college basketball programs since 2000, and many Tar Heel fans will not be very happy with where he ranked Carolina.

Shaw ranked the UNC basketball program No. 7 among the top ten teams. While we aren’t 100% sure what criteria was used for this ranking, one thing is certain: this feels like a slap in the face to the Tar Heels, who have won three National Championships since 2000. This was what Shaw said about the Tar Heels:

"UNC is 609-243 since the 1999-2000 season. They have won three National Titles, made it to seven Final Fours, and 12 Sweet Sixteens. The Tar Heels have won ten ACC Regular Season Titles while getting 31 NBA Draft Picks, one National Player of the Year, and five ACC Players of the Year."

In order, the teams ranked ahead of the Tar Heels are Kansas, Duke, Gonzaga, Michigan State, UConn, and Kentucky. The most obvious criteria to use to determine success since 2000 should be National Championships, of course. But then why would Gonzaga, who has zero National Championships and has only been to two Final Fours, be ranked four spots ahead of the Tar Heels? Carolina has been to seven Final Fours and even beat Gonzaga in one of those for a championship.

What about rival Duke? They have the same amount of National Championships as Carolina, but two fewer Final Four appearances. Oh, and should we remind everyone of 2022? Shaw is sure to point out the talent the Blue Devils have had:

"Duke is 685-163 since the 1999-2000 season. They have won three National Championships, made it to five Final Fours, and 16 Sweet Sixteens. The Blue Devils have won six ACC Regular Season Titles while producing 54 NBA Draft picks, eight ACC Players of the Year, and four National Players of the Year."

Seems like that’s giving credit for accomplishing much less than the UNC Basketball program, with much more talent.

Blue Blood Kentucky is one spot in front of the Tar Heels with only one National Championship and four Final Fours. Again, why do they get ranked above Carolina? Is it the one-and-done talent? Is this based on players in the NBA?

Shaw didn’t address what criteria he used most and just jumped around to what “sounded good,” it seems. Many UNC basketball fans will agree that the Tar Heels should be *much* higher on the list, tying UConn for the most National Championships since 2000. Isn’t that the goal of the sport? To win National Championships? Guess Shaw doesn’t think so…

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