What Happened: Could Anyone Have Predicted Al Wood’s Outburst in 1981 Final Four?

Posted Jun 20, 2024
One of North Carolina’s most contentious set of rivalry basketball games took place in 1981 against Virginia, who beat the Tar Heels twice only to lose a rematch in the national semifinals. That game was decided by a three-minute burst by UNC's Al Wood, one of the most famous single-game performances in Carolina history, especially given the setting. (Inside Carolina)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Open Week Offers UNC Basketball Time to Focus on Defensive Issues
With no midweek game on the schedule ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Wake Forest, North Carolina plans to treat the coming days as an open...
Tue Jan 6, 2026

Chansky’s Notebook: The Smith Center's Foundations
Forty years minus eight days comes at the right time. The Tar Heels have won 499 games at the Smith Center since it opened Jan...
Tue Jan 6, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Caleb Wilson's Maturity, Football Transfer Portal
Caleb Wilson’s maturity and competitive fire shine after a viral crossover incident vs. SMU's Boopie Miller. Can Wilson’s resolve and chip-on-the-shoulder attitude lift UNC against...
Tue Jan 6, 2026

Hubert Davis Reflects on SMU Loss, Defensive Issues
Hubert Davis said the advantage of not playing a midweek game is that his team has the chance to practice rather than solely preparing for...
Tue Jan 6, 2026