North Carolina Tar Heels: 1982 v 1969, Bracket Challenge

The North Carolina Tar Heels Final Four Bracket Challenge continues the second round of action with the legendary 1982 team playing the 1969 team.

The North Carolina Tar Heels Final Four Bracket Challenge is once again moving away from the simulator as the 1969 Tar Heels return to face off with the 1982 National Champion team. At least the generational difference between the 1982 team and the 1969 team is not as large as their matchup with the 2000 team was. No three point line was available for either squad.

The 1969 Tar Heels team was one of the most experienced teams in terms of Final Four participation. Bill Bunting and Rusty Clark would have been playing in their third Final Four, something that I can only associate with Shammond Williams much later on. Dick Grubar would have joined them if he had been healthy. Of course, he will be healthy for this matchup.

On the other side is the 1982 team, Dean Smith’s breakthrough to a national title. Like the 1969 team, the members of the 1982 team had been so close to winning it the year before. Jimmy Black, James Worthy, and Sam Perkins had all been there for their loss to Isiah Thomas and Indiana. Unlike the 1969 team, they went all the way with contributions from freshmen like Buzz Peterson and Michael Jordan.

When people think of the 1982 team, they often think of Jordan and ‘the shot’ which ultimately beat Georgetown. The team and the game though belonged to James Worthy. Jordan’s own time was two years down the line when he would earn his own blue banner to match Worthy’s. The 1982 team marks the only time when two retired jersey players were on the same roster. Both went on to Hall of Fame pro careers.