University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Going To Its 15th Final Four
March 27, 2000 | Men's Basketball
March 27, 2000
Send A Postcard
Complete NCAA Tournament Coverage
By Jaime Aron
AP Sports Writer
AUSTIN, Texas -- North Carolina has been to so many Finals Fours that even the program's biggest backers probably can't remember them all.
This one, though, isn't likely to be forgotten.
The Tar Heels came into the NCAA tournament having lost three of four. They were handed a long shot No. 8 seed, matching their worst in 22 years of being seeded, and faced critics who thought they didn't even belong. Rather than how far could they go, the top question was whether their coach would be back next season.
Then, in a stunning turnaround few can explain, they became Carolina again, winning four straight for the first time this season, capped by a 59-55 victory over Tulsa on Sunday that clinched a record-tying 15th Final Four berth.
"I am so happy for the team and so proud of them," said Bill Guthridge, his job safe, but his heart heavy as he headed to Kansas for his mother's funeral today.
"They really hung in there all year through some difficult times and helped keep me up. To be going to the Final Four is a real thrill for all of us. It's something we never get tired of."
This will be No. 11 for Guthridge as a player and coach, his second in three years as the head coach. It'll be his third time playing a Final Four in Indianapolis after losing to Kansas in 1991 and Arizona in '97.
"In just the last 10 years, we lost to Arizona in, what? '91?" said Guthridge, showing that all the Final Fours can even run together for someone who was involved in them.
Next up for Carolina (22-13) is East Regional champion Florida (28-7). If there's anything the Gators will notice on game tapes, it's how great the Tar Heels have played defense this tournament.
UNC stopped Missouri's outside game in the first round, cut off top-seeded Stanford's inside game in the second round and held Missouri to one basket in the final seven minutes Friday night. Tulsa (32-5) shot a season-low 37 percent and scored its fewest points this season.
"They were a lot longer than we expected," guard Tony Heard said. "They were playing the passing lanes and we didn't move like we should have. But we missed a lot of open shots, shots that we usually make."
Still, the Golden Hurricane were able to keep it close by playing pretty tough defense themselves. They even led 31-30 at halftime and were tied at 39.
Julius Peppers made two free throws that gave Carolina the lead for good, then freshman sensation Joseph Forte scored the next six points to open a big cushion.
Tulsa, which was hurt by having leading scorer David Shelton and emotional leader Eric Coley in foul trouble, fought back again thanks to freshman Dante Swanson.
His 3-pointer with 21 seconds left tightened the game to 57-55, but the rally stopped there. Free throws by senior guard Ed Cota and Forte ended the winningest season in Golden Hurricane history and their farthest run in 12 NCAA tournament trips.
"It's a sweet feeling because of all the goals we've met," Coley said. "But sometimes you're going to lose. It's tough as a senior, but I hope the other guys got a taste of it and will be back here next year."
Forte, the first freshman to ever lead North Carolina in scoring, came to Chapel Hill hoping to be a starter right away and expecting to win the national championship immediately.
The Tar Heels got off to a quick start, reaching No. 2 in the country right after Thanksgiving. Two months later, they had a four-game losing streak and were out of the poll for the first time in a decade.
"It took us a while to find each other this season," said Cota, who'll be playing in his third Final Four in four years. "The teams I was on here before knew how to win. This team found it late, but we couldn't have picked a better time."
North Carolina has made the Final Four in every decade since the 1940s. The Tar Heels are going for their fifth and the most improbable title.
The Tar Heels had been a No. 1 or 2 seed in their previous seven Final Fours. They'd never gotten past the round of 16 with a lower seed.
According to the NCAA, North Carolina has one more Final Four appearance than UCLA. The governing body doesn't recognize the Bruins' 1980 trip, which was revoked as a punishment for rules violations.
© Copyright 2000 The Associated Press
