OK. It’s Super Bowl Sunday, so folks should have some time to ponder this. Let’s do it.
I think there can be zero doubt that 2022 UNC upset of dook in the Final Four is absolutely the pinnacle at this point.
Other Nominees for best UNC wins over dook in men’s basketball (I am limiting to games I actually remember):
- 2026: Home - 71-68, Seth shot with 0.4 (only lead of game), double court storming
- 2022: @ dook - 94-81, upset in K’s last home game
- 2006: @ dook - 83-76, start of Hansbrough’s dominance at Cameron
- 2005: Home - 75-73, Marvin Williams put-back / comeback game
- 2003: Home - 82–79 upset (bloody lip Felton)
- 2001: @ dook - 85-83 (foul hard call by Coach K)
- 1996: Home - 73-72 — comeback from dook 17-point first half lead and 11-point second half lead, UNC trailed most of the game
- 1995: @ dook - 102-100 2OT, Capel prayer, Stack dunk, etc.
- 1992: Home - 75-73, Bloody Montross, undefeated dook
- 1989: ATL ACC Final - 77-74 (a war with nearly 50 fouls called)
- 1986: Home - 95-92, Dean Dome debuts with a thriller
- 1984: Home - 96-83 2OT - Doherty forces first OT on Senior Day
- 1980: Greensboro (Big Four) - 78-76
- 1974: Home 96-92 (OT) — THE comeback
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In making this list, I came to the conclusion that we have more heart-breaking losses in close ones in the rivalry overall, but the Final Four win papers over a lot.