UNC Great James Worthy Sees Similarities Between Current Tar Heel Team & 1982 National Champions

Posted Aug 18, 2022
On a recent Instagram post, North Carolina and NBA legend James Worthy commented that the current Tar Heel team reminds him of his 1981-82 National Championship-winning squad. "This team reminds me of the UNC 1981 team. We lost to Indiana that year & was determined to win Coach (Dean) Smith's first national championship in 1982!" (Inside Carolina)

Related: Basketball, Tar Heels in the NBA

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - It's Official. Michael Malone Named UNC Basketball Coach
UNC has announced Michael Malone as successor to Hubert Davis, the 20th head coach in program history. Carolina held a press conference Tuesday to introduce...
Wed Apr 8, 2026

UNC leaders welcome coach Michael Malone on 'a day that will matter for decades'
As athletic director Bubba Cunningham introduced Michael Malone on Tuesday, he cracked a smile as he said UNC staff is already starting to move its...
Wed Apr 8, 2026

Michael Malone sees chance to be 'part of something special' at UNC
Six months ago, Michael Malone attended Carolina Basketball practices at the Smith Center as a self-proclaimed outsider. On Tuesday, though, the former longtime NBA coach...
Wed Apr 8, 2026

Lucas: First and Last
Michael Malone sounded an awful lot like a Tar Heel on his first day. The new Carolina Basketball head coach was introduced at the Smith...
Wed Apr 8, 2026