North Carolina Tar Heels: 1977 vs 1998, Bracket Challenge
The North Carolina Tar Heels Bracket Challenge continues with the 1977 team taking on the 1998 team to end the second round.
The North Carolina Final Four Bracket Challenge continues with bad news. I simply cannot find enough information on the 1946 Tar Heels team of Bones McKinney and company to do a proper matchup. As a result I will be sending the 2016 Tar Heels team through to the next round where they will face the 1957 national title team.
There is still one more matchup in the second round to cover and that is the 1977 Tar Heels versus 1998 Tar Heels. This would be a Dean Smith vs Bill Guthridge matchup. It also marks two teams with a lot of talent on the rosters.
The 1977 team was Phil Ford’s junior year. The next season would be the year that Ford would be National Player of the Year. He was joined on that team by Walter Davis, Tommy LaGarde (before his injury), and the emergence of Mike O’Koren. This gave the team four players who averaged in double figures during their playing time that season. Unfortunately Ford was hurt for the final game against Marquette and the Heels fell at that point. For this bracket they will get Ford and LaGarde at 100%.
More from Old North Banter
- Carolina Panthers: Secondary battles to watch in training camp 2020
- Carolina Panthers: 2020 training camp kicks off on Tuesday
- NC Colleges Provide Coronavirus Results from Athletic Departments
- Court alleges Zion’s Stepfather received $400k
- UNC Football gets Commitment from Top Cornerback
The 1998 season was the season of Antawn Jamison. He was National Player of the Year that season after a twenty-two points and ten rebounds average for the year. He was surrounded by an improving Vince Carter and a solid senior performance from Shammond Williams. Ed Cota dished the ball and a young Brendan Haywood came off the bench to offer more size, though Haywood’s best days had not yet come. After an overtime scare against the Charlotte 49ers, the 1998 Heels made it all the way to Williams’ third Final Four before losing to Utah.