Helena Frye
The North Carolina Tar Heels have a rich history in basketball, with six national championships and a .
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of wins | 2,294 |
| Number of losses | 829 |
| All-time winning percentage | .735 |
| Number of consecutive 20-win seasons | 31 |
| Number of national championships | 6 |
| Record in 2025 | 23-13 |
| Quad 1 record | 1-12 |
| Quad 2 record | 9-0 |
| Quad 3 record | 7-1 |
| Quad 4 record | 6-0 |
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What You'll Learn
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball history
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team has a rich history dating back to its first season in 1910–11. With a winning percentage of .735, the Tar Heels have amassed an impressive record of 2,294 wins and 829 losses in 111 seasons. They hold the record for the most consecutive 20-win seasons, with 31 from the 1970–71 to the 2000–01 season.
The modern era of Tar Heel basketball is considered to have begun in 1952, with the appointment of St. John's head coach Frank McGuire. Under McGuire, the team secured a notable 70–50 win over The Citadel in his first game. The following year, North Carolina became a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, beating South Carolina 82–56 in their first ACC game. In 1955, they defeated the then-No. 5 Alabama 99–77, marking their first victory over a non-conference top 10 opponent.
The Tar Heels have a total of 12 appearances in the NCAA Tournament championship game and a record 21 Final Four appearances. They were awarded a national championship by the Helms Athletic Foundation in 1943 and later by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll for their undefeated 1923–24 season, in which they went 26–0.
Eight players have had their numbers retired, including Tyler Hansbrough, who won all six major player of the year awards during the 2007–08 season. In addition, 43 other jerseys are honored alongside the retired numbers in the Smith Center.
In the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the Tar Heels silenced skeptics with a dominant 95-68 victory over San Diego State in the First Four, showcasing their prowess as a team that belongs in the tournament.
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North Carolina's NCAA Tournament controversy
North Carolina has a rich history in basketball, with the Tar Heels achieving a %.735 all-time winning percentage (second highest all-time) from their first season in 1910–11 through to the start of the 2021–22 season. They have appeared in the NCAA Tournament championship game twelve times and hold the record for the most Final Four appearances (21).
However, North Carolina's inclusion in the 2025 NCAA Tournament has been mired in controversy. Despite a poor showing against the country's top teams, with a 1-12 record against Quad 1 teams, they earned a bid for the tournament. This was due to a "contingency vote" after Memphis beat UAB in the AAC championship game, which freed up a spot for North Carolina.
The controversy surrounding their inclusion was amplified by the fact that North Carolina's athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, was the selection committee's chair. This led to accusations of preferential treatment and questions about the integrity of the school's bid. Cunningham assured that he was not in the room for discussions about North Carolina and that any athletic directors of schools being considered must "recuse themselves and actually leave the room for those discussions, and they’re not allowed to participate in the vote as well."
Despite the assurances, critics remained unconvinced, with teams like West Virginia, Ohio State, Boise State, and Indiana—which had better records against Quad 1 competition—being left out of the tournament. The athletic director at West Virginia called it a "terrible tragedy" that his team was the first left out, believing that their resume was stronger than several teams that made the cut.
North Carolina's inclusion in the 2025 NCAA Tournament sparked intense debate, with some arguing that their athletic director's position on the selection committee gave them an unfair advantage.
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North Carolina's First Four win
North Carolina has a rich history in basketball, with the Tar Heels achieving a .735 all-time winning percentage (second-highest all-time) from 1910-11 to the start of the 2021-22 season. They have the most consecutive 20-win seasons, with 31 from the 1970-71 season through to 2000-01, and were the second college basketball program to reach 2,000 wins.
Despite this, North Carolina's inclusion in the 2025 NCAA Tournament had been questioned and criticized. On March 18, 2025, the Tar Heels silenced their critics with a dominant 95-68 win against San Diego State in the First Four, advancing to the first round. Guard R.J. Davis led the team with 26 points, making all six of his 3-point attempts. North Carolina's focus on their own preparation and performance, rather than external noise, paid off, and they rightfully earned their place in the tournament.
The win was a statement victory for the Tar Heels, who were seeded three spots lower than they had ever been since 1979. Their 61% shooting in the first half led to a commanding 47-23 halftime lead, and they never looked back. The team's performance showcased their determination to prove themselves and compete at the highest level, with guard Seth Trimble expressing their desire to "prove the doubters wrong".
With this win, North Carolina advanced to face sixth-seeded Mississippi in Milwaukee on Friday, March 20, 2025, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels' post-Clemson resurgence continued, and they looked to carry their momentum forward in the tournament.
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North Carolina's player retirement criteria
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team has had a successful run over the years. From the Tar Heels' first season in 1910–11 through the 2021–22 season, the team has won 2,294 games and lost 829 games in 111-plus seasons, amassing a .735 all-time winning percentage. The Tar Heels have appeared in the NCAA Tournament championship game twelve times and have been in a record 21 NCAA Tournament Final Fours.
To have their jersey number retired at North Carolina, a player must win one of the following six widely recognized player of the year awards: the Oscar Robertson Trophy (selected by the United States Basketball Writers Association of America), the Naismith Award (presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club), the John R. Wooden Award (presented by the Los Angeles Athletic Club), and the honours of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the Associated Press, and The Sporting News. Eight players have had their numbers retired, including Michael Jordan, Tyler Hansbrough, and Jack Cobb.
In addition to winning one of the six major awards, other criteria that are considered for jersey retirement or honour include being named:
- Most Valuable Player of a national championship-winning team
- ACC Player of the Year
- First- or second-team All-American
- NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player
- A member of a gold-medal-winning Olympic team
The criteria for jersey retirement or honour at North Carolina are based on a combination of outstanding individual performance, team success, and recognition from respected basketball associations and media outlets.
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North Carolina's boys basketball rankings
North Carolina has a rich history of basketball success, particularly in the high school and college game. The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team has had notable success over the years, with a .735 all-time winning percentage (second-highest all-time) as of 2022. They have amassed 2,294 wins and 829 losses in 111 seasons, with 31 consecutive 20-win seasons from 1970-71 to 2000-01.
The Tar Heels have appeared in 182 NCAA Tournament games, reaching the championship game 12 times and making a record 21 Final Fours. They won a national championship in 1924, going 26-0 that season, and were the second college basketball program to reach 2,000 wins, achieving the feat in 2010.
In the 2024-25 season, North Carolina had a 23-13 overall record and a 13-7 conference record, with a 1-12 Quad I record, a 9-0 Quad II record, a 7-1 Quad III record, and a 6-0 Quad IV record.
At the high school level, North Carolina has produced many talented players, and some of the top teams compete for state championships. Reidsville High School's boys' basketball team won its second consecutive Class 2A state championship, extending its win streak to 60 in a row. Other ranked teams in the state include Roosevelt, John Marshall, and Reidsville.
AAU basketball, a youth basketball organization, also has rankings for boys' basketball teams in North Carolina. These rankings are divided into regions, with the East, South, Midwest, and West Regions mentioned.
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Frequently asked questions
North Carolina is one of college basketball's most storied programs with six national championships. From their first season in 1910–11 through to 2021–22, they have the second-highest all-time winning percentage, winning 2,294 games and losing 829. They also have the most consecutive 20-win seasons, with 31 from the 1970–71 season through the 2000–01 season.
The North Carolina college basketball team is called the Tar Heels.
As of March 2025, the Tar Heels have a 1-12 Quad I record, a 9-0 Quad II record, a 7-1 Quad III record, and a 6-0 Quad IV record. Overall, their record is 23-13.
On March 19, 2025, the Tar Heels beat San Diego State 95-68 in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.
Yes, on February 29, 1924, UNC lost to Kentucky, 41-20.
