Top 10 UNC Basketball teams of all time | Where will 2022-23 fit in?

The North Carolina men’s basketball program has a rich history that schools all over the country can only dream of. It’s difficult to sift through the very best of the Tar Heels teams through the decades. Despite that difficulty, Coach Pac Kilby and Isaac Schade are going to attempt to do that very thing: provide you with a list of what they each believe are the top 10 teams in UNC history.

After sharing their lists Isaac and Pac discuss what they got right and what they got wrong and then determine if and where each one thinks the 2022-23 Tar Heels team will fit historically.

Here are the lists:

Pac
10. 1923-24
9. 1983-84
8. 2016-17
7. 2015-16
6. 1992-93
5. 1997-98
4. 1956-57
3. 1981-82
2. 2004-05
1. 2008-09

Isaac
10. 2011-12
9. 1994-95
8. 1976-77
7. 1967-68
6. 1997-98
5. 1992-93
4. 1956-57
3. 2004-05
2. 1981-82
1. 2008-09

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[chadhickes]

Dean Smith was innovative to the whole game of basketball. Analytics started with him. Secondary break, defenses, traps, pointing to the passer, huddle at the free throw line during free throws, bench standing and clapping for the players on the court. I could get real specific and list a lot more. Roy Williams is a phenomenal coach and I think under appreciated in the game overall. It irks me that in a lot of ways he did not get more respect than he actually did. We are so fortunate to have had two historic coaches to go along with their selfless egos. They were even better men than coaches.

[blakerobertson]

You realize that 82 had 2 first ballot hall of famers and Sam Perkins

[Majesticon]

Win or not this year, it's really really hard to leave this team off the list. What they did last year turning it around was nothing short of breathtaking. Beating Duke twice in two games that had nothing but the highest stakes for bragging rights ? They're a phenomenal team

[stayvigilant]

2008-09 all time most dominant unc team to me I would slide 2011-12 in top 10 tho

[chadhickes]

This does not include any Teams that I have not had the honor of watching. Plus I did not include teams that had immense talent but never gelled like they should have. Like 1994, etc..I really started watching around 1980 when I was 10 years old. 1) 1982 2) 1984 3) 1998 4) 2009 5) 2005 6) 2012 7) 2016 8) 2017 9) 1993 10) 1995. We should have a lot more titles but it just shows just how hard it is to win it and when you get there you need to capitalize on it. 77, 84, 98, 08, 12, 16 are the first that come to mind and without a doubt we were the best Teams in the country in those years. 2022 we should have won that one but it was a pleasant surprise to get to that point. The 2006 Team was a lot of fun to say the least.

[timothyflanigan]

1983-84, team was one of dean smith's best. the turning point when kenny smith, broke his wrist, on a cheap shot, on a game, against LSU. he was not the same, when he came backs. when smith, got hurt, carolina was undefeated.

[Majesticon]

Top 10: 82, 77, 84, 09, 16, 05, 17, 98, 95, 12

[edwardholloway]

I have a TON of respect for what you do, but there has NEVER been a better ACC team than the 1982 squad!!!!

[YoungVet]

Tbh 2012 would beat 5 or 6 of them teams on your list

[Zooview]

Appreciate y’all’s recognition that age and recency bias are factors.

Neither of you touched on the fact that the best players enter the NBA (or try to) as early as possible. Rasheed and Stack were UNC’s first SOPH departures.

Moses, Darryl Dawkins, and Bill Willoughby were the only high school to the pro’s in the ‘70’s.

Magic (‘79) and Zeke (‘81) were the first two superstars to win titles as SO’s and leave for the Pro’s (Spencer Haywood alert).

Guys like Worthy in ‘82 who left after their junior seasons were unusual.

Remember, Sampson and Ewing played 4 years. Perkins played 4 years. The GOAT played only 3 years.

Sampson, Ewing, Olajuwon, and a host of other bigs (Alcindor, the Big E, Walton, and more) would just devour Tyler Hansbrough. Was Tyler outstanding in his era? Yes! Did his era lack elite, experienced bigs (and other players)? Yes.

At least one of you has the 2012 team in your Top 10…..giving them credit for its injuries.

If you’re giving that team credit for its injuries, you have to credit ‘77 and ‘84 for their injuries…….so, you need to bump up those teams as you bumped up 2012.

‘77 - LaGarde tore his ACL in January. YonWolfCisn replaced LaGarde (Rich Yonaker, Jeff Wolf, Steve Krafcisn - three freshmen. Sweet D broke his finger in the ACC Tourney. We’re talking a guy who was a stud shooting guard (All-Star and ROY Shooting Guard in the NBA). Phil Ford hyper-extended his elbow.

‘84 - Kenny Smith’s broken wrist. EFF YOU John Tudor!

Maryland’s Buck Williams would have tormented Tyler Hansbrough.

[DerickHitchcock]

Roy didn't take the 04/05 team to the NIT in 03/04 like Pac states. Instead, it was a second round loss to Texas in the NCAA tourney if I remember correctly. The team before Roy got there went to the NIT.

[blakerobertson]

Isaac you can't make a list unless you play the season