Andrew Pace
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team has a rich history of success, with a total of six NCAA championship wins (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and 2017). The Tar Heels have dominated the court for decades, with a winning percentage of 73.3% during their 32 seasons in the Southern Conference from 1921 to 1953. They continued their streak in the Atlantic Coast Conference, claiming 18 ACC tournament titles and 33 ACC regular-season titles. The team's achievements have been consistently impressive, and their list of accolades continues to grow, as evidenced by their recent successes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of NCAA Championships won | 6 (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and 2017) |
| Number of NCAA tournament matchups won | 134 |
| Number of Sweet Sixteen berths | 31 |
| Number of Final Four appearances | 21 |
| Number of Title Games | 12 |
| Number of ACC tournament titles | 18 |
| Number of ACC regular-season titles | 33 |
| Southern Conference regular season titles | 9 |
| Southern Conference tournament titles | 8 |
| Helms Athletic Foundation title | 1924 |
| First ACC Tournament win | 1957 |
| First NCAA Championship | 1957 |
| First ACC regular-season title | 1956 |
| First Final Four appearance | 1967 |
| Most recent NCAA Championship | 2017 |
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What You'll Learn
North Carolina Tar Heels' six NCAA championship wins
The North Carolina Tar Heels have enjoyed long-term success as one of the top college basketball programs in the country. They have won six NCAA championships (in 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and 2017) and one retroactive championship for 1924, awarded by the Helms Foundation and the Premo-Porretta Power Poll.
The Tar Heels' first NCAA Tournament championship came in 1957 under head coach Frank McGuire. They beat Kansas 54-53 in a game that went to three overtimes. McGuire was succeeded by Dean Smith, who led the Tar Heels to two national championships. In 1967, Smith led the team to its first NCAA Tournament win, beating Princeton. In 1993, the Tar Heels won their third NCAA title, defeating Michigan 77-71.
In 2003, Roy Williams, an assistant under Smith, returned to his alma mater as head coach. In his second season, the Tar Heels won the 2005 NCAA championship. Williams would go on to win two more national titles in 2009 and 2017. In the 2009 NCAA Tournament, the Tar Heels won all six games by at least 12 points, with an average victory margin of 20.2 points. In 2017, the Tar Heels beat Gonzaga 71-65 to give Williams his third national championship, surpassing his mentor Smith.
Overall, the Tar Heels have appeared in a record 21 NCAA Tournament Final Fours and 12 title games. They have amassed 133 victories, the most of all time.
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UNC's first ACC regular-season title
The University of North Carolina's men's basketball team, the Tar Heels, won their first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season title in 1956. On February 24, 1956, Lennie Rosenbluth scored 31 points in a 73-65 win over Duke, clinching UNC's first-ever ACC regular-season title, which was shared with N.C. State.
The following season, in 1956–57, Lennie Rosenbluth scored 40 points in a Tar Heel win at Duke, finishing with a perfect 24–0 regular-season record (14–0 in the ACC). Rosenbluth was named the 1957 Helms Foundation Player of the Year. The Tar Heels went on to win their first ACC Tournament and their first NCAA Championship in 1957.
UNC has a rich history in men's basketball, with a total of six national championships (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and 2017), eighteen ACC Tournament titles, and thirty-three ACC regular-season titles. The program has produced many notable players who have gone on to successful careers in the NBA, including Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Vince Carter, and Bob McAdoo.
UNC's success in the ACC regular season has continued in recent years, with the Tar Heels winning the ACC regular-season crown eleven times between 2000 and 2024, seven of those outright. In the years of those seven outright titles, UNC reached the championship game four times and won it all three times (2005, 2009, and 2017). The Tar Heels have consistently been a dominant force in college basketball, with a high winning percentage and numerous appearances in the Final Four and NCAA Tournament.
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Dean Smith's first NCAA Tournament win
Dean Smith, the legendary North Carolina basketball coach, had his first NCAA Tournament win on March 17, 1967, when North Carolina beat Princeton. Later, in the 1967 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, UNC beat Boston College to advance to Dean Smith's first Final Four. However, they lost to Dayton in the national semifinal.
Smith's first major successes came in the late 1960s, when his teams won consecutive regular-season and ACC tournament championships, and went to three straight Final Fours, making it to the national championship game in 1968. Smith went on to coach the Tar Heels to a reign of championships and national dominance. He is the only coach to have coached teams to an Olympic gold medal, an NIT championship, and an NCAA championship.
Smith coached for 36 years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, from 1961 to 1997, and retired with 879 victories, which was the NCAA Division I men's basketball record at that time. He had the ninth-highest winning percentage of any men's college basketball coach (77.6%). Smith's teams appeared in either the NCAA or NIT in each of his final 31 years in Chapel Hill.
Smith won his first NCAA championship with his 1981–82 team, which included future NBA players such as Michael Jordan, James Worthy, and Sam Perkins. In 1993, UNC won their third NCAA title, Smith's second NCAA championship. On March 15, 1997, North Carolina beat Colorado, 73–56, in the NCAA tournament second round for Dean Smith's 877th win, breaking Adolph Rupp's all-time record for coaches. Smith's last game as a coach was on March 29, 1997, a 66–58 loss to Arizona in the national semifinal.
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UNC's first home game at Carmichael Auditorium
The University of North Carolina's men's basketball team, the Tar Heels, have a rich history of success, with six NCAA championship wins and numerous other accolades. The team's first home game at the Carmichael Auditorium (also known as Carmichael Arena) was a significant moment in their journey.
Carmichael Auditorium, an annex to Woollen, was first opened on October 12, 1965, with a University Day celebration. The venue featured a large space of 65,112 square feet, foldable bleacher seats, and a hydraulic stage. The original seating capacity was just over 8,800 but was later expanded to 10,000 in 1976.
UNC's first official basketball game at Carmichael Auditorium took place on December 4, 1965, against William and Mary. The Tar Heels, coached by Dean Smith, won the game 82-68, with UNC player Bob Lewis making the first shot. This victory marked the beginning of a successful era for the team at their new home court.
Carmichael Auditorium was known for its loud and intense atmosphere, largely due to its low roof and student section surrounding the court. The venue provided a formidable home-court advantage for the Tar Heels, who had a remarkable record of 169-20 during their over 20-season tenure there. The team's success at Carmichael Auditorium included winning their second NCAA title in the 1981-82 season.
The Tar Heels played their final regular-season game at Carmichael Auditorium on January 4, 1986, defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack 90-79. The game marked the end of an era, as the team moved on to play at the Dean Smith Center, affectionately known as "The Dean Dome."
In summary, UNC's first home game at Carmichael Auditorium was a victorious start to their legacy at this venue. The Auditorium's unique design and passionate fan base contributed to a loud and intimidating atmosphere, giving the Tar Heels a distinct home-court advantage. The team's success at Carmichael Auditorium solidified their reputation as one of the most dominant forces in college basketball.
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2025 RAMMY Awards
The University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels men's basketball team has a rich history of success, with six NCAA championship wins and numerous other accolades. The team has a winning culture, and this was celebrated at the 2025 RAMMY Awards, which brought together athletes from all 28 of UNC's varsity teams.
The Tar Heels have won six NCAA championships in 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and 2017. They also claimed a Helms Athletic Foundation title in 1924. This success has been consistent, with the Tar Heels reaching the National Championship game for nine straight decades and advancing to an impressive 21 Final Fours. They have won 18 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournaments and 33 ACC regular-season titles.
UNC's dominance in college basketball continued in the 2024-2025 season, with a notable win against the San Diego State Aztecs. The final score was 95-68, showcasing UNC's offensive prowess and defensive solidity. Guard Seth Trimble shared his team's mindset: "We don't need any extra motivation... we just like to go out there and prove ourselves right and prove everybody wrong." This win was a statement to the doubters, and the Tar Heels embraced their role as villains.
The 2025 RAMMY Awards recognized the achievements of UNC's varsity teams, celebrating their athletic excellence and academic success. While the specific winners of the RAMMY Awards were not disclosed, the event highlighted the talent and dedication of UNC's student-athletes across various sports, including basketball. The Tar Heels' historic success and recent dominant performances set a high bar for future awards and continue to inspire their student-athletes.
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Frequently asked questions
The North Carolina Tar Heels have won six NCAA championships in 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and 2017.
The Tar Heels won 304 games and lost 111 during the 32 seasons they played in the Southern Conference from 1921 to 1953, giving them a winning percentage of 73.3%.
Dean Smith was the coach of UNC during their 1993 NCAA championship win.
As of March 19, 2025, UNC men's basketball team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs with a final score of 95-68, advancing to the First Four of the NCAA tournament.
