2008-2009 North Carolina Tarheels Basketball Preview:
The North Carolina Tarheels basketball team is geared and ready to play this season, and with eight McDonald's All-Americans on board, this team looks poised to dominate regular and postseason play in the ACC. Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green are all back with the team, deciding to forego early NBA futures. The returning line-up is looking so strong, that it almost seems impossible this team will not end up in the National Championship game. Anything short of the Final Four is bound to bring disappointment to Chapel Hill, so make sure to go see one of the best teams in the nation this year.
NORTH CAROLINA TARHEELS TEAM FACTS:
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Stadium: Dean Smith Center
Conference: ACC Conference
Rivals: Duke Blue Devils, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, NC State Wolfpack, Kentucky Wildcats
Mascot: Rameses the Ram
National Championships: 5
Notable Alumni: Michael Jordan
The North Carolina Tarheels are considered to be one of the most dominant NCAA basketball teams in the country. They have captured four NCAA championships and 17 ACC tournament titles. To date, the Tarheels boast an all-time 73.6% winning percentage, and have the most consecutive 20-win seasons with 31.
The team first fielded a basketball program in 1910, and won their first game against Virginia Christian with a score of 42-21. In 1953, North Carolina left the Southern Conference to join with the Atlantic Coast Conference, and was one of the founding members. From 1961 to 1997, Dean Smith coached the program, leading the Tarheels on one of the most successful runs in that era. Smith retired from coaching UNC college hoops in 1997, and to date hold the record for second most basketball wins all-time. North Carolina captured two National Championships under Smith, in 1982 and 1993.
The Tarheels play their home games at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. The arena seats about 21,750 fans. The center is also a temporary home for the North Carolina Women's basketball program, who typically play their home games at the Carmichael Auditorium. Make sure to get your tickets early to a game at the Smith Center to watch one of the most prolific basketball teams in the nation compete for the top spot this year!
See Also:
North Carolina Tarheels ACC Tournament tickets
North Carolina Tar Heels NCAA Tournament tickets
North Carolina Tar Heels Final Four tickets
North Carolina Tar Heels Football tickets