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

What Three Basketball Preseason Exhibitions Revealed About the Tar Heels
Perhaps the most concerning trend throughout exhibition play has been North Carolina’s inconsistency on the glass. The Tar Heels outrebounded USC 47-33 but fell behind...
Wed Oct 28, 2026

Brooklyn Nets assign Drake Powell to Long Island before start of G League season
The Brooklyn Nets assigned three recent first-round picks — Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Joshua Jefferson — to their G League affiliate, the Long Island...
Wed Oct 28, 2026

Video: John Henson, Tyler Zeller Observations From UNC's Overtime Win vs. Charlotte
Former UNC Basketball standouts John Henson and Tyler Zeller reunite to break down the Tar Heels’ overtime win vs. Charlotte in their final exhibition game...
Wed Oct 28, 2026

Terrence Brown leans on faith, memory of aunt, as he carries year of loss into breakout game
A photo of his late aunt hung from Terrence Brown’s chain as he sat at a table after Tuesday’s game, with his Athlete’s Bible resting...
Wed Oct 28, 2026