University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina One Game Away From Final Four
March 25, 2000 | Men's Basketball
March 25, 2000
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QUICK FACTS
No. 8 seed North Carolina (21-13, 9-7 ACC/tied 3rd)
Head Coach: Bill Guthridge (Kansas State '60)
Guthridge's Record as Head Coach: 79-27 (.745), 3rd year
Guthridge's Record at UNC: same
No. 7 seed TULSA (32-4, 12-2 WAC)
Head Coach: Bill Self
Self's Record as Head Coach: 130-79, 7th year
Self's Record at Tulsa: 74-26, 3rd year
ON THE AIR
Television: CBS (Dick Enberg, James Worthy, Spencer Tillman)
Radio: Learfield Communications (Woody Durham, Mick Mixon)
SERIES INFORMATION
Series: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: 12-17-82, Tulsa 84, Carolina 74 in Oil City Classic in Tulsa, Okla.
CAROLINA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Record in the NCAA Tournament: 79-33
Appearances: 34th, 26th consecutive (NCAA record)
NCAA Titles: 1957, 1982, 1993
CAROLINA ADVANCES TO REGIONAL FINAL FOR SIXTH TIME IN LAST 10 YEARS AND 21ST TIME OVERALL
- No. 8 seeded North Carolina advanced to the Final 8 for the 20th time in school history and the sixth time in the last 10 seasons with a 74-69 win over 4th-seeded and 10th-ranked Tennessee.
- Carolina has reached the Final 8 after wins over No. 9 seed Missouri (84-70), No. 1 seed Stanford (60-53) and No. 4 seed Tennessee (74-69).
- The Tar Heels had never before reached the Final 8 as a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In its only previous appearance as a No. 8 seed in 1990, UNC won its first two games but lost to No. 4 Arkansas in the Sweet 16.
- Since the NCAA Tournamnt field began seeding in 1979, the Tar Heels have never advanced to the Final Four lower than a No. 2 seed (No. 1 in 1982, 1991, 1993, 1997 and 1998 and No. 2 in 1981 and 1995).
- Carolina is making its NCAA-record 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and is playing in the postseason for the 34th straight year. The Tar Heels have earned an NCAA bid every year since the tournament field expanded to accept more than one team from each conference in 1975. Carolina is 79-33 alltime in the NCAA Tournament and has advanced to the Final Four 14 times.
- The win over Tennessee assured the Tar Heels of at least 21 victories for an NCAA record 30th consecutive season.
- Bill Guthridge has been on the sidelines for 70 NCAA Tournament wins at Carolina, including Friday's win over Tennessee. The Tar Heels are 70-27 in NCAA action with Guthridge as assistant or head coach.
GUTHRIDGE IN EXCLUSIVE COMPANY
With wins over Missouri, Stanford and Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, UNC head coach Bill Guthridge has the second-most wins by a third-year coach in NCAA history (see chart below). Guthridge already owns the NCAA records for most wins by a first-year head coach (34) and by a coach after two seasons (58).
NCAA Alltime Best Coaching Starts after Three Seasons (by wins)
Coach Record
1. Everett Case, NC State (1947-49) 80-16
2. Bill Guthridge, North Carolina (1998-2000) 79-27
3. Roy Williams, Kansas (1989-91) 76-25
4. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse (1977-79) 74-14
5. Bill Carmody, Princeton (1997-99) 73-14
CAROLINA'S NCAA TOURNAMENT RECORD
- Carolina is making a record 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and 34th overall. Only Kentucky (41) and UCLA (35) have been in the NCAA field more than UNC. The current streak of 26 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament began in 1975.
- Carolina has appeared in 112 NCAA Tournament games prior to its regional final against Tulsa. Only Kentucky (121) has played in more NCAA Tournament games.
- The Tar Heels are 79-33 in NCAA Tournament games. Kentucky is first alltime in NCAA wins with 85, Carolina is second with 79, UCLA is third with 76, Duke is fourth with 67 and Kansas is fifth with 59.
- Carolina has advanced to at least the regional semifinal (Sweet 16) an amazing 17 times in the last 20 years. The only years UNC did not reach the Sweet 16 were in 1994 (lost to Boston College in the second round), 1996 (lost to Texas Tech in the second round) and 1999 (lost to Weber State in the first round).
- The Tar Heels have won at least one game in the NCAA Tournament in 19 of the last 20 years. Carolina lost in the first round of the 1999 NCAA Tournament to Weber State.
21 WINS, AGAIN
- Carolina's victory over Stanford in the NCAA South Regional Second Round ensured the continuance of one of the most remarkable streaks in college basketball. The win was UNC's 20th of the season, marking the 30th year in a row that Carolina has won at least 20 games. That is an NCAA record for most consecutive 20-win seasons.
- Actually, the win over Tennessee assured UNC of winning at least 21 games for 30 straight seasons.
CAROLINA IN THE FINAL 8 AGAIN
- The Tar Heels are playing in the Final 8 for the 20th time in history and the sixth time in the last 10 years. UNC is 14-5 in its previous Final 8 matchups.
- Carolina has won five consecutive Final 8 games. That five-game streak followed a four-game stretch from 1983-87 in which UNC lost in the regional finals.
- Sunday's game against Tulsa marks the 12th time in the last 20 years that the Tar Heels have played in the regional finals with a trip to the Final Four on the line. Carolina is 7-4 in regional finals in the last two decades.
CAROLINA'S FINAL 8 APPEARANCES
1941 * Pittsburgh 26, UNC 20 in Madison, Wis.
1946 * UNC 60, Ohio State 57 in New York, N.Y.
1957 * UNC 67, Syracuse 58 in Philadelphia Pa.
1967 * UNC 96, Boston College 80 in College Park, Md.
1968 * UNC 70, Davidson 66 in Raleigh, N.C.
1969 * UNC 87, Davidson 85 in College Park, Md.
1972 * UNC 73, Pennsylvania 59 in Morgantown, W.V.
1977 * UNC 79, Kentucky 72 in College Park, Md.
1981 * (2) UNC 82, (8) Kansas State 68 in Salt Lake City, Utah
1982 * (1) UNC 70, (3) Villanova 60 in Raleigh, N.C.
1983 * (4) Georgia 82, (2) UNC 77 in Syracuse, N.Y.
1985 * (8) Villanova 56, (2) UNC 44 in Birmingham, Ala.
1987 * (2) Syracuse 79, (1) UNC 75 in East Rutherford, N.J.
1988 * (1) Arizona 70, (2) UNC 52 in Seattle, Wash.
1991 * (1) UNC 75, (10) Temple 72 in East Rutherford, N.J.
1993 * (1) UNC 75, (2) Cincinnati 68 (OT) in East Rutherford, N.J.
1995 * (2) UNC 74, (1) Kentucky 61 in Birmingham, Ala.
1997 * (1) UNC 97, (6) Louisville 74 in Syracuse, N.Y.
1998 * (1) UNC 75, (2) Connecticut 64 in Greensboro, N.C.
FINAL 8 APPEARANCES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS (1991-2000)
1. Kentucky 7
2. North Carolina 6
3. Duke 5
4. Eight teams with 3
CAROLINA'S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS UNC won the NCAA Tournament in 1957, 1982 and 1993 and finished second in 1946, 1968, 1977 and 1981.
FIVE FINAL FOURS IN THE LAST NINE YEARS
Carolina has played in five Final Fours in the last nine seasons. In 1993, George Lynch, Eric Montross, Derrick Phelps and Donald Williams led Carolina to the NCAA title with a 77-71 victory over Michigan in New Orleans, La. The Tar Heels defeated Cincinnati in the East Regional final in the Meadowlands to reach the Final Four.
The Tar Heels also reached the Final Four in 1991 by defeating Temple in the Meadowlands, in 1995 by defeating Kentucky in the Southeast Regional final in Birmingham, Ala., in 1997 by defeating Louisville in Syracuse, N.Y., and in 1998 by defeating Connecticut in Greensboro, N.C.
CAROLINA'S RECORD IN THE SWEET 16
Carolina is now 18-6 in 24 appearances in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinal (Sweet 16) games. UNC is 12-5 in regional semifinal games during the last 20 years.
Bill Guthridge is 2-0 in regional semifinals as Carolina's head coach (a 73-58 win over Michigan State in the 1998 East Regional, and a 74-69 win over Tennessee in the 2000 South Regional).
The Tar Heels have won five straight regional semifinal games (victories in 1993, '95, '97, '98 and '00). UNC reached the NCAA Final Four in each of the first four seasons and won the 1993 national championship.
CAROLINA AS A NO. 8 SEED
Carolina is the No. 8 seed in the South Regional in Birmingham, Ala. The No. 8 seed ties the lowest seed in school history (1990).
UNC is now 5-1 as a No. 8 seed. The Tar Heels went 2-1 as a No. 8 seed in the 1990 Midwest Regional.
Carolina has been a No. 8 seed just once prior to this season. The Tar Heels were the No. 8 seed at the 1990 NCAA Midwest Regional in Austin Texas. That season, UNC defeated Southwest Missouri State in the first round and upset No. 1-ranked Oklahoma in the second round in Austin, Texas, before losing to Arkansas in the Sweet 16 in Dallas.
Since the NCAA began seeding teams for the Tournament in 1979, Carolina has been lower than a No. 4 seed just two times prior to this season: in 1990 (No. 8 seed in the Midwest) and in 1996 (No. 6 seed in the East).
NO. 8 SEEDS IN REGIONAL FINALS
Carolina and Wisconsin are the seventh and eighth No. 8 seeds to play for regional championships since the bracket was first seeded in 1979. UNC's game on Sunday against Tulsa is the third time UNC will be involved in a regional championship matching an eight seed, but this is the first time UNC is that eighth seeded team. Two of the previous six No. 8 seeds have won the regionals, including UCLA in 1980 (beating No. 6 Clemson) and Villanova in 1985 (beating No. 2 North Carolina) en route to the NCAA title.
The No. 2 seeded Tar Heels also beat No. 8 Kansas State in the 1981 West final.
1980 West Final * (8) UCLA beat (6) Clemson
1981 West Final * (2) UNC beat (8) Kansas State
1982 Midwest Final * (6) Houston beat (8) Boston College
1985 Southeast Final * (8) Villanova beat (2) UNC
1986 West Final * (2) Louisville beat (8) Auburn
1998 Midwest Final * (3) Stanford beat (8) Rhode Island
2000 West Final * (6) Purdue vs. (8) Wisconsin
2000 South Final * (7) Tulsa vs. (8) UNC
TAR HEELS AND TULSA SERIES NOTES
Carolina and Tulsa have played each other just twice, splitting the two games.
The Tar Heels defeated Tulsa, 78-70, on Dec. 3, 1981, in Carmichael Auditorium. Freshman Michael Jordan hit 11 of 15 shots and led UNC with 22 points. Matt Doherty had 18 points and James Worthy had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Carolina went on to win the NCAA championship that season.
A season later, Tulsa downed the Tar Heels, 84-74, in the Oil City Classic in Tulsa, Okla. on Dec. 17, 1982. In that game, Jordan led UNC with 28 points and eight rebounds. Sam Perkins added 15 points.
TAR HEELS IN TOURNEY TITLE GAMES
Carolina is 6-1 under head coach Bill Guthridge is tournament deciding games in the last three seasons. That includes a win over UNLV in the 1999 Food Lion MVP Classic in Charlotte, a win over Purdue in Maui in November 1999, a loss to Duke in the 1999 ACC Tournament, a win over Stanford in the 1998 Chase Preseason NIT, a win over Connecticut in the 1998 NCAA East Regional final, a win over Duke in the 1998 ACC Tournament final and a win over Purdue in the 1997 Carrs Great Alaska Shootout.
CAROLINA IN AUSTIN
Carolina is 3-1 alltime in Austin, Texas, including a 3-0 mark in NCAA Tournament games.
Carolina is 3-0 in NCAA Tournament games played in Austin, winning a pair of games in 1990 as the No. 8 seed in the Midwest Regional. The Tar Heels advanced to the Sweet 16 that season with wins over SW Missouri State in the first round and No. 1-seeded and ranked Oklahoma in the second round before losing in the Sweet 16 to Arkansas. The Tar Heels also defeated Tennessee, 74-69, Friday night in the regional semifinal.
UNC also has played the University of Texas once in Austin, losing a 74-72 decision on Dec. 30, 1995, to the Longhorns.
UNC DEFENSE KEY TO NCAA VICTORIES
North Carolina's strong defensive performances were crucial in NCAA Tournament wins over Missouri, Stanford and Tennessee. Missouri hit just 40.9 percent from the floor, Stanford shot 34.5 percent and Tennessee made just 35.6 percent.
Overall, Carolina has limited its three NCAA Tournament opponents to 37.2 percent (68 of 183) from the floor. That includes a three-point percentage of 27.0 (20 of 74).
Missouri hit just two of 17 three-pointers in the second half and eight of 31 overall. Stanford's starting frontcourt combined for just seven of 29 shooting and 18 points. Tennessee point guard Tony Harris was 1 of 10 from the floor and swing man Vincent Yarbrough was 4 for 11, including 1 of 5 from three-point range.
Tennessee went 7:08 late in the second half without scoring a field goal until Harris hit a long 3FG with 13 seconds to play.
Carolina has held its opponents under 50 percent shooting in each of the last 15 games dating back to a home loss to Florida State on Jan. 22. Tar Heel opponents have hit 50 percent from the floor just four times this season and UNC is 0-4 in those games (Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville and Florida State).
The Tar Heels have held 16 opponents to under 40 percent field goal shooting, and UNC is 15-1 in those games.
TAR HEELS RALLY FOR WIN OVER TENNESSEE
Ed Cota hit a pair of driving baskets that tied the game and gave Carolina the lead for good as the Tar Heels shocked Tennessee, 74-69, in the South Region semifinal on March 24th. Carolina played the final 8:03 without center Brendan haywood, who fouled out after scoring 11 points.
Tennessee led 55-53 when Haywood went out of the game and extended its lead to 64-57 with 4:48 to play. However, the Tar Heels outscored the Vols, 17-5, over the remaining time. Freshman Joseph Forte, who led all scorers with 22 points, drilled a three-pointer, Jason Capel scored inside to cut the UT lead to 64-62. Cota hit a driving 10-footer in the lane with 3:02 to play that evened the game at 64. Carolina forced a shot clock violation on Tennessee's next possession. Cota followed with a layup off the glass with 1:59 to play that gave UNC its first lead since a 20-19 advantage with 10:31 left in the first half.
The Tar Heels made six free throws in a row in the final 34 seconds to seal the win (two each by Forte, Julius Peppers and Cota).
The win was Carolina's first this season in a game in which it got to the free throw line less than its opponents. The Volunteers made 21 of 24 from the line and Carolina was just 12 of 17 from the stripe.
Carolina shot 50 percent from the field for the 17th time this year but the first time since the loss at Duke in the regular-season finale. The Tar Heels are now 12-5 in games in which they make half their field goal attempts.
Joseph Forte scored 22 points, 13 of which came in the opening half. It was the eighth time this year the freshman scored 20 or more points in a game (UNC is 4-4 in those games).
Forte's 22 points increased his season total to 557, the highest total in history by a UNC freshman. Forte and Phil Ford are tied at 16.4 points per game as the highest scoring averages by Tar Heel freshmen.
Kris Lang scored 10 points on 5 of 12 shooting from the floor. UNC is now 12-3 in games in which Lang reaches double figures.
TAR HEELS UPSET NO. 1 SEED STANFORD TO REACH SWEET 16
No. 8 seed Carolina limited No. 1 seed Stanford to 34.5 percent field goal shooting and a 27.3 percent three-point field goal percentage to earn a 60-53 win over the Cardinal on March 19.
Carolina tied its season low with eight turnovers (the Tar Heels also had eight turnovers against Howard on Jan. 2).
UNC's 60 points tied its fewest ever in an NCAA Tournament win (UNC beat Notre Dame, 60-58, in the Southeast Regional Second Round in 1985 in South Bend, Ind.).
No. 3-ranked Stanford was the highest-ranked team Carolina has defeated since it beat No. 3 Stanford in the Preaseason NIT on Nov. 27, 1998.
The Tar Heel defense held Stanford's starting frontcourt of Casey Jacobsen, Mark Madsen and Jarron Collins to 7-for-29 shooting in the game.
After Stanford led, 47-43, the Carolina defense limited the Cardinal to just six points in the final 8:20 of the game. UNC outscored Stanford, 17-6, in that final 8:20. Carolina held the Cardinal scoreless from the 8:20 mark until 2:25.
Freshman Joseph Forte scored eight straight points in a span of 1:44 late in the game to help clinch the victory. Forte buried back-to-back three-pointers in a 45-second span to break a 47-47 tie and give Carolina a 53-47 lead it would never relinquish.
Sophomore Jason Capel held Stanford's leading scorer, Casey Jacobsen, to 2-for-12 shooting and five points in the game.
Senior point guard Ed Cota finished with seven points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, his 12th double-figure assist game of the season. It was Cota's third straight 10-assist game in NCAA action (Weber State, Missouri, Stanford).
With the win, Carolina improved to 6-2 alltime against No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament and 9-0 alltime against Stanford.
CAROLINA TOPS MISSOURI IN NCAA FIRST ROUND
Brendan Haywood set new career highs for points (28), field goals (11), field goal attempts (15) and offensive rebounds (nine) as Carolina defeated Missouri, 84-70. Haywood's 28 points were the most by a Tar Heel in NCAA Tournament action since Shammond Williams scored 32 in an overtime win over UNC Charlotte in the 1998 East Regional second round.
Haywood had 15 rebounds against Missouri, the most by a Tar Heel in an NCAA Tournament game since Antawn Jamison had 16 against Colorado in the 1997 East Regional second round.
Haywood's 28 points were the most by a Tar Heel this season. The previous high was 27 by freshman guard Joseph Forte in a loss at Virginia.
Senior point guard Ed Cota had 10 assists to become the third player in NCAA history to pass the 1,000-assist mark.
Jason Capel finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season.
Carolina out-rebounded the Tigers, 55-30, and out-rebounded Missouri on the offensive glass, 26-11. The +25 rebound margin was the largest of the season for the Tar Heels (the previous high was +18 at Buffalo) and UNC's largest ever in an NCAA Tournament game.
Missouri hit just 2 of 17 three-point field goals in the second half and 8 of 31 in the game.
Carolina scored 44 points in the first half, matching its highest first-half scoring output of the season. The Tar Heels also scored 44 points in a 102-78 win over UNLV in December.
With the win, UNC has won at least one game in the NCAA Tournament in 19 of the last 20 seasons (the only exception was 1998-99).
TAR HEEL TRENDS
The Tar Heels have hit 28 of 107 three-point attempts (26.2 percent) in their last nine games. UNC's opponents have hit 62 three-pointers during that same span. Prior to those nine games, Carolina made 28 of 66 three-pointers over a four-game span (42.4 percent).
Brendan Haywood has hit 86 of his last 123 field goal attempts (69.9 percent). Haywood has made at least half his shots from the floor in 32 of 34 games this year and at least 70 percent in 11 of the last 17 games. He leads the nation with a .706 field goal percentage this season.
Joseph Forte (16.4 points per game) has led Carolina and all ACC freshmen in scoring this season. No freshman has ever led Carolina in scoring and just one, current assistant coach Phil Ford, has averaged as many points than Forte has averaged.
Carolina has turned the ball over more than its opponents in 23 of 33 games and is 12-11 in those contests.
Carolina has averaged 17.3 turnovers in its 12 losses and 13.3 per game in its 21 victories.
Carolina leads the ACC in field goal percentage (.496).
Bill Guthridge is now 7-2 in NCAA Tournament games as Carolina's head coach.
Carolina is 19-2 this season when attempting more free throws than its opponents.
The Tar Heels are 15-1 when their opponents shoot less than 40 percent from the field.
Carolina has held its opponents to under 50 percent shooting in each of the last 15 games dating back to a home loss to Florida State on Jan. 22. Tar Heel opponents have hit 50 percent from the floor just four times this season and UNC is 0-4 in those games (Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville and Florida State).
COTA, FORTE, HAYWOOD EARN ALL-ACC HONORS
Senior point guard Ed Cota and freshman guard Joseph Forte were named second-team All-ACC on March 7 in a vote of the Atlantic Coast Sports Writers Assocation. Junior center Brendan Haywood earned third-team honors. Forte also was a unanimous selection to the ACC's All-Freshman team.
It was the third consecutive year in which Cota earned second team All-ACC honors. This season, he was the seventh-leading vote-getter for All-ACC, receiving more first-place votes than any other second-team honoree. In 1998, Cota received the seventh-most votes and in 1999 he received the eighth-most votes.
It was the fourth year in a row that no ACC point guard was named first-team All-ACC.
Forte tied with Chris Williams of Virginia for the final spot on the second team and was the only freshman named to the first or second team. He also was a unanimous selection to the All-Freshman team. Joining Forte as a unanimous choice to the All-Freshman team was Duke's Jason Williams.
Haywood earned third-team All-ACC honors as the third-leading vote-getter on the third team.
Junior forward Jason Capel was an Honorable Mention choice.
Carolina did not have a player on the first team for the first time since 1994.
FORTE NAMED UNC'S FIFTH ACC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Freshman guard Joseph Forte, who has led Carolina and all ACC freshmen in scoring throughout the season, was named the ACC's Rookie of the Year on March 15. Forte is the fifth Tar Heel to win the conference rookie-of-the-year award, joining Sam Perkins (1981), Michael Jordan (1982), J.R. Reid (1987) and Ed Cota (1997).
Forte was named ACC Rookie of the Week a league-high four times ? on Nov. 30, Feb. 14, Feb. 28 and March 6.
Forte has 557 points this season, most by a freshman in UNC history. Sam Perkins scored a then-freshman-record 550 points in 1980-81.
ACC STREAKS CONTINUE
Carolina finished 9-7 in the ACC this season, tying Virginia for third place in the final conference regular-season standings. That marked the 36th season in a row Carolina has finished in the top three of the ACC. Carolina has finished first 17 times, second 12 times and third seven times.
Carolina's 9-7 conference mark this year was its 36th consecutive winning record in the ACC.
Carolina went 4-4 on the road in ACC play this season, marking the eighth straight season the Heels have won at least half of their ACC road games.
CAROLINA'S STRONG SECOND HALF PERFORMANCES
In Carolina's 21 wins this season, the Tar Heels have shot 56.6 percent in the second half and 51.5 percent overall. In the Tar Heels' 13 losses, they have shot 45.8 percent in the second half and 46.8 percent overall.
The Tar Heels have shot 50 percent or better from the field in the second half in 20 of their 34 games this season (60 percent eight times and at least 70 percent three times).
Carolina is 16-4 in games in which it shoots 50 percent or better from the floor in the second half. The losses were at Virginia (UNC made 55 percent from the floor but committed nine second-half turnovers), vs. Duke at home (UNC forced overtime after trailing by 19 in the second half), at Maryland (UNC made 55.9 percent in the second half but the Terps shot 53.6 percent after the break) and at Duke.
In the three NCAA Tournamnt games, Carolina has shot 46.3 percent in the first half and 46.4 percent in the second half.
CAROLINA'S IMPROVING DEFENSIVE PLAY
At times maligned this year for its defensive play, the Tar Heels have held their opponents to 40 percent shooting or lower from the floor in 17 of 34 games, including eight of the last 15 games. No. 3-ranked and No. 1 seed Stanford shot just 34.5 percent against the Tar Heel defense in the NCAA Second Round on March 19. Tenth-ranked Tennessee made just 35.6 percent from the floor.
Carolina has won 16 of 17 contests when holding its opponents to under 40 percent shooting. The only team to shoot less than 40 percent >from the floor to beat UNC was Wake Forest. The Deacons shot 37.9 percent in its win over the Tar Heels in Winston-Salem.
Carolina has allowed its opponents to shoot 45.0 percent or better in just 10 games this season.
CAROLINA'S TOUGH SCHEDULE
The Tar Heels played one of the most difficult schedules in the nation this season. Nine of the 10 schools that defeated Carolina this season had at least 16 wins and five of the 10 had 20 or more victories.
Ten of Carolina's 1999-2000 opponents earned NCAA Tournament bids: Duke, Maryland, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Indiana, UNLV, Miami (Fla.), Louisville, Purdue and UCLA.
Midwest Regional top seed Michigan State is the only team that beat the Tar Heels that is still alive in the NCAA Tournament. Cincinnati lost in the NCAA second round, Indiana lost in the NCAA first round, Louisville lost in the NCAA first round, Wake Forest (two losses) is in the NIT semifinals, UCLA lost in the NCAA regional semifinal, Virginia (two losses) lost in the NIT first round, Florida State (did not reach the postseason), Duke (two losses) lost in the NCAA regional semifinal and Maryland lost in the NCAA second round.
Carolina's schedule was the 13th-toughest in the nation, according to the latest RPI (as of March 13).
CAROLINA AT HOME THIS SEASON
UNC went 7-5 at the Smith Center this season and lost five home games in one season for the first time since moving into the Smith Center in January 1986. Carolina tied the school record for home losses in a season (also set in 1929-30 and 1943-44).
HEAD COACH BILL GUTHRIDGE
Guthridge is 79-27 as the Tar Heels' head coach. He is in his third year as head coach, but 33rd as part of the UNC program. He was an assistant coach for Dean Smith for 30 seasons before taking over in 1997-98 following Smith's retirement.
After a 74-72 overtime win over Georgia Tech on March 1, Guthridge is now 7-2 in overtime games as UNC's head coach.
Guthridge is 7-2 in NCAA Tournament games.
With three wins in the NCAAs, Guthridge now has the second-most wins by a third-year coach in NCAA history.
Guthridge won more games (58) in his first two seasons than any coach in NCAA history and reached 50 wins faster than any coach in UNC history.
In 1997-98, Guthridge set the NCAA record for most wins by a first-year head coach with 34.
Guthridge received National Coach-of-the-Year honors and was ACC Coach of the Year in 1997-98. He was named the National Coach of the Year by the NABC, The Sporting News, the Atlanta Tipoff Club (Naismith Award) and CBS/Chevrolet.
BRENDAN HAYWOOD (7-0, JR., C, GREENSBORO, N.C.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
The ACC's and Carolina's alltime leader in field goal percentage. Has made 66.0 percent of his shot attempts from the floor (376 for 570). Second-best is Rasheed Wallace at 63.5 percent.
UNC Career Field Goal Percentage
1. Brendan Haywood (97-active) .660
2. Rasheed Wallace (93-95) .635
3. Brad Daugherty (82-86) .620
4. Bobby Jones (71-74) .608
5. J.R. Reid (86-89) .601
Is third in school history in career blocked shots with 178. Warren Martin is second with 190 blocks.
Has 85 blocked shots this season, the second-highest single-season figure in Tar Heel history. Only Rasheed Wallace, who blocked a record 93 in 1994-95, has blocked more in one year.
UNC Career Blocked Shots
1. Sam Perkins (80-84) 245
2. Warren Martin (81-86) 190
3. Brendan Haywood (97-active) 178
Has scored in double figures 48 times in his career with a high of 28 vs. Missouri in the NCAA Tournament first round.
Has 15 career double-doubles (points and rebounds).
Has scored 20 or more points 10 times, most recently vs. Missouri in the NCAA Tournament first round on March 17.
Has made 50 percent or more of his field goal attempts in 60 of 68 games over the last two seasons as a starter.
Needs just 22 points to become the 50th 1,000-point scorer in Carolina history. Ed Cota passed that plateau earlier this year.
Earned third-team All-ACC honors this year.
Leads the nation in field goal percentage at .706. The single-season ACC record is .670 by Clemson's Dale Davis in 1988-89.
Averaging 17.0 points and 9.3 rebounds and is shooting 60.0 percent from the field (21 of 35) in the three NCAA Tournament games this year.
ACC Single-Season Field Goal Percentage Leaders
1. Brendan Haywood, UNC (99-00) .704
2. Dale Davis, Clemson (88-89) .670
3. Bobby Jones, UNC (71-72) .668
4. Horace Grant, Clemson (86-87) .656
5. Rasheed Wallace, UNC (94-95) .654
ED COTA (6-1, SR., G, BROOKLYN, N.Y.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Senior point guard Ed Cota became just the third player in NCAA history to record 1,000 career assists when he dished out 10 assists versus Missouri on March 17. Cota now has 1,018 career assists, trailing only Duke's Bobby Hurley (1,076) and NC State's Chris Corchiani (1,038) in college basketball history.
Cota also had 10 assists versus No. 1 seed Stanford and has tallied double figures in assists in 12 games this season and 32 games in his career. He has had 10 or more assists in four of the last six games, including 11 against Georgia Tech, 13 against Duke, 10 against Missouri and 10 against Stanford.
Cota is the only player in NCAA history to score 1,000 points, dish out 1,000 assists and grab 500 rebounds. He passed the 500-rebound barrier on March 19 vs. Stanford. Cota has scored 1,247 points in addition to his 1,018 assists and 507 rebounds.
Cota has 106 assists in NCAA Tournament play, tying former Syracuse standout Sherman Douglas for second place in NCAA history. Duke's Bobby Hurley holds the record with 145.
Cota should become the first player in ACC history to lead the league in assists for four consecutive seasons. Three other players (UNC's Phil Ford, Wake Forest's Tyrone Bogues and Georgia Tech's Drew Barry) also led the league three times. Cota will join Virginia's Ralph Sampson and Wake Forest's Tim Duncan as the only players to lead the ACC in a statistical category for four seasons (both Sampson and Duncan led the league four times in blocked shots).
Named second-team All-ACC for the third consecutive year.
His 272 assists this season are the second-highest single-season total in Carolina history, behind his own total of 274 in 1998. He averages 8.2 assists per game this season, the highest single-season average in school history (he owns four of the top five averages in UNC history, including the top three).
Leads the Atlantic Coast Conference with 8.2 assists per game. That is a single-season Carolina record (breaking his own mark of 7.4 assists per game set on two occasions) and the sixth-best figure in ACC history. Cota averages almost two assists more per game than any player in the ACC.
Has 32 career double-digit assist games, a UNC record. Ranks third in ACC history in 10-assist games.
Sixth in UNC history with 188 steals. Dudley Bradley is fifth with 190.
Has scored in double figures 60 times. Career scoring high is 23 points against NC State on Jan. 8, 2000.
Has 14 career double-doubles (13 points and assists, one points and rebounds).
Ranks fifth in ACC history in minutes played with 4,553.
Has played in three ACC Tournament championship games (winning two) and two Final Fours.
Has an assist-turnover ratio this year of 2.62 to 1 (272 assists/104 turnovers). That is the best ratio in the ACC.
Leading the ACC in minutes played at over 36 per game.
Tied the UNC single-game assists record when he dished out 17 against UNLV. Equalled Jeff Lebo's mark against Chattanooga in 1988. Cota had just two turnovers to go with his 17 assists.
Has scored in double figures in 17 games and has double-doubles in four contests.
UNC Career Assists
1. Ed Cota (1996-present) 1,018
2. Kenny Smith (1983-87) 768
3. Phil Ford (1974-78) 753
4. Derrick Phelps (1990-94) 637
5. King Rice (1987-91) 629
NCAA Career Assists
1. Bobby Hurley, Duke 1,076
2. Chris Corchiani, NC State 1,038
3. Ed Cota, North Carolina 1,018
4. Keith Jennings, East Tennessee State 983
5. Sherman Douglas, Syracuse 960
ACC Career Assists Per Game
1. Chris Corchiani, NC State 8.37
2. Bobby Hurley, Duke 7.68
3. Ed Cota, North Carolina 7.49
4. Grayson Marshall, Clemson 7.02
5. Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech 6.98
ACC Career 10-Assist Games
1. Chris Corchiani, NC State 49
2. Bobby Hurley, Duke 33
3. Ed Cota, North Carolina 32
4. Tyrone Bogues, Wake Forest 28
5. Sidney Lowe, NC State 26
Career Assists in NCAA Tournament Games
1. Bobby Hurley, Duke 145
2. Ed Cota, North Carolina 106
Sherman Douglas, Syracuse 106
4. Greg Anthony, UNLV 100
5. four players tied 93
UNC Career Steals
1. Derrick Phelps (1990-94) 247
2. George Lynch (1989-93) 241
3. Rick Fox (1987-91) 197
4. Kenny Smith (1983-87) 195
5. Dudley Bradley (1975-79) 190
6. Ed Cota (1996-present) 188
UNC Single-Season Assists
1. Ed Cota (1997-98) 274
2. Ed Cota (1999-00) 272
3. Ed Cota (1998-99) 238
4. Kenny Smith (1984-85) 235
5. Ed Cota (1996-97) 234
MAX OWENS (6-5, JR., G/F, MACON, GA.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Earned All-Tournament honors at the 1999 ACC Tournament after he scored 23 points in a win over No. 5 Maryland 22 points in championship game against No. 1 Duke.
Career 81.0 percent free throw shooter.
Has scored in double figures 18 times, including a career-high 23 against Maryland on March 6, 1999 and 23 against UNLV on Dec. 4, 1999.
Scored his 500th career point in the win at NC State on Feb. 9, 2000. Now has 539 points.
OWENS' 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Sixth on the team in scoring with 7.9 points per contest.
Has scored in double figures nine times with highs of 23 against UNLV, 22 against Louisville and 18 against #7 Michigan State and #1 Cincinnati.
Was 5 for 9 from the floor, 2 for 3 in 3FG and 6 for 6 from the free throw line against the Spartans.
Made 8 of 13 shots from the floor and was 5 for 5 from the line against UNLV.
Made a career-high four three-point baskets against Cincinnati and Louisville.
Has scored 20-plus points four times in his career, three times in the Charlotte Coliseum.
Had 17 points and six rebounds in the win at Miami. Made 6 of 10 from the field, including an acrobatic, left-handed reverse layup, and was 5 for 5 from the free throw line.
Hit a three-pointer from the left corner that gave Carolina a 52-50 lead with 13:19 to play in the second half of the 75-63 win over Maryland. That gave UNC its first lead since the 11:59 mark of the first half, a lead Carolina would not relinquish the rest of the contest.
Hit critical, back-to-back three-pointers in a 32-second span in the second half of the Feb. 9 game at NC State. His shots increased Carolina's lead from two points to eight as the Heels took control of the game. Owens also had a huge tip-in off an Ed Cota missed free throw with 33.2 seconds left to play to give UNC a 10-point lead and ice the victory.
JASON CAPEL (6-8, SO., F/G, CHESAPEAKE, VA.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Carolina's most versatile player. Had off-season back surgery to repair two disks and is playing pain free for the first time in several years.
Has scored in double figures 35 times in his career with highs of 23 against UNLV on Dec. 4, 1999, 21 against UCLA on Jan. 15, 2000, 21 vs. Tennessee Tech on Dec. 12, 1999, 20 at Miami on Dec. 18, 1999, and 20 at Georgia Tech on Jan. 29, 2000.
Has shot 84.0 percent from the free throw line in his career. Was second in the ACC in free throw percentage last season and is currently second this season.
Is second alltime at Carolina in free throw percentage behind Shammond Williams, who shot 84.9 percent from 1994-98.
CAPEL'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Honorable mention All-ACC honoree.
Has scored in double figures in 25 contests, including 16 of the last 19 games. Has scored 20 or more points five times.
Second on the team behind Brendan Haywood in rebounds at 6.7 per contest. Ranks ninth in the ACC in rebounding.
Is second in the ACC from the free throw line, shooting 83.1 percent. Converted 86.8 percent from the free throw line in ACC games.
Has made 57 of his last 63 free throw attempts (90.5 percent).
Had 14 points and 11 rebounds in the NCAA first-round win over Missouri. It was his fourth double-double of the year.
Played excellent defense in the win over No. 3 Stanford in the NCAA second round, limiting leading scorer Casey Jacobsen to 2-of-12 shooting and just five points.
Averaging 10.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Hit a huge three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer against Tennessee. Later, he hit an inside shot that cut UT's lead to 64-62.
Defended Tennessee's outstanding forward Vincent Yarbrough. The Vol star was just 4 of 11 from the floor and scored 13 points, two below his average.
JOSEPH FORTE (6-4, FR., G, GREENBELT, MD.)
1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
A second-team All-ACC honoree and unanimous selection to the ACC's All-Freshman team. The 1999-2000 ACC Rookie of the Year.
Carolina's leading scorer at 16.4 points per game. Was named Most Valuable Player of the Maui Invitational after he helped lead the Tar Heels to three wins and the title.
Sixth in the ACC in scoring average and tops among freshmen. Tenth in the conference in field goal percentage.
On pace to become the first UNC freshman to lead the team in scoring since freshmen became eligible to play in 1972-73.
Has led Carolina in scoring or tied for the team lead in 13 games this season.
Alltime UNC Freshmen Scoring (by average)
Player Season Scoring Average
1. Phil Ford 1974-1975 16.4
Joseph Forte 1999-2000 16.4
3. Antawn Jamison 1995-1996 15.1
4. Sam Perkins 1980-1981 14.9
5. J.R. Reid 1986-1987 14.7
Alltime UNC Freshmen Scoring (by total points)
Player Season Points
1. Joseph Forte 1999-2000 557
2. Sam Perkins 1980-1981 550
3. J.R. Reid 1986-1987 528
4. Phil Ford 1974-1975 508
Has scored in double figures in all but four games and topped 20 points eight times. Had 24 in his collegiate debut against Southern California, 21 in the Maui championship game vs. Purdue, a season-high 27 at Virginia, 20 vs. Duke, 24 at home vs. Wake Forest, 26 at Maryland, 24 at Duke and 22 vs. Tennessee in the NCAA Sweet 16.
Scored more points in his freshman debut than any Tar Heel in history.
Is third on the team in rebounds at 5.4 per game.
Ranks second on the team in assists with 91 and had a season-high six against top-ranked Cincinnati.
Has connected on at least one three-point field goal in 28 of the 34 games with a high of six at home vs. Wake Forest on Feb. 12.
Had 13 points and eight rebounds in the first NCAA Tournament game of his career, the first-round win over Missouri.
Led UNC with 17 points in the NCAA second-round upset of No. 1 seed (and No. 3 ranked) Stanford. Broke a 47-47 tie when he hit back-to-back three-pointers with 4:16 and 3:31 to play in the second half, giving Carolina a lead it would not relinquish. Those two three-pointers were part of eight straight points he scored in a span of 1:44 late in the game.
Led all scorers with 22 points in the Sweet 16 win over Tennessee. After missing his opening attempt, he made his next five field goal attempts and scored 11 of Carolina's first 18 points as the Tar Heels built an 18-11 lead.
Forte did not attempt a field goal in the second half against Tennessee until he hit a jumper with 8:38 to play that cut UT's lead to 55-51. His next shot attempt was perhaps the biggest of the season for UNC as he drained a three-pointer with 4:27 to play reduce the Vols' lead to 64-60. That basket started a 13-0 run by the Tar Heels.
KRIS LANG (6-11, SO., F/C, GASTONIA, N.C.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Averaged 10.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a freshman and was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team.
Shooting 54.7 percent from the floor and averaging 9.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in his career.
Has scored in double figures 33 times and has three double-doubles.
Career scoring high of 21 vs. Georgia in 1998 Preseason NIT.
Was in the hospital for almost a week in late summer of 1999 with a virus.
LANG'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Earned Tournament MVP honors at the Food Lion MVP Classic in Charlotte on December 3-4. Had 15 points and three rebounds against College of Charleston and 16 points and four rebounds in the finals against UNLV. Made 12 of 16 shots from the floor and 7 of 8 free throws in the two games. Played 35 combined minutes in the two games.
Was 10 for 10 from the free throw line against NC State (Jan. 8).
Led Carolina in scoring (14) and rebounding (11) at Wake Forest, recording the third double-double of his career.
Had 13 points and six rebounds in the win over Maryland on Jan. 27.
Had 11 points and seven rebounds in the NCAA Tournament win over Missouri (first round).
Had 11 points and helped limit Stanford senior Mark Madsen to 2-of-7 shooting and five points in the NCAA second round.
Scored 10 points, grabbed three offensive rebounds and blocked two shots in the Sweet 16 win over Tennessee.
Carolina is 12-3 when Lang scores in double figures this season.
JULIUS PEPPERS (6-7, FR.-R, F, BAILEY, N.C.)
1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Joined the basketball team on Nov. 29 after the Tar Heels returned from the Maui Invitational.
Helped limit Georgia Tech frontcourt stars Alvin Jones and Jason Collier to 7-27 shooting from the floor on Jan. 29.
Ripped down 13 rebounds (five on the offensive glass) against Clemson on Jan. 6. Added six points, a blocked shot, an assist and two steals in a season-high 24 minutes against the Tigers.
Has made 21 of his last 28 field goal attempts (75.0 percent).
Scored a career-high 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting on March 1 vs. Georgia Tech. Played much of the second half and all of overtime after Kris Lang suffered a strained left quadricep.
Had nine points and four rebounds in the NCAA first-round win over Missouri.
Recorded six points, three rebounds and three blocked shots in the upset of No. 1 seed Stanford in the second round of the NCAA South Regional. Helped limit Stanford's starting frontcourt to 7-for-29 shooting. Had a huge three-point play with 0:06 left before halftime to give UNC a 28-27 lead at the break.
Played 20 minutes against Tennessee in the regional semifinal and had six points, six rebounds and two blocked shots. Played most of the final 8:03 after Brendan Haywood fouled out, despite picking up his own fourth foul with 6:10 to play. Hit two clutch free throws with 26 seconds to play that gave Carolina a six-point lead.
Grabbed five rebounds in the last 6:59 against Tennessee.
