Dean Smith led North Carolina back to the national stage in the 1970s, often leading the Tar Heels to the NCAA Tournament. But it wasn’t until 1982, with the help of Michael Jordan, that he took them to the top of March Madness.
Before becoming one of the greatest NBA players in history, Jordan was a lanky freshman on a team led by James Worthy and Sam Perkins that ranked among the AP Top 25 in 1981-82 Ranked No. 1 in the polls for 11 consecutive weeks. Jordan hit one of the greatest shots in NCAA tournament history, a jumper with 15 seconds left to win Smith his first national championship and North Carolina’s second.
The championship was the Tar Heels’ longest streak of 10 consecutive appearances at least in the Sweet 16, including an appearance in the 1983 national championship game. North Carolina was ranked No. 1 in six different seasons in the 1980s and extended a streak of 171 consecutive weeks at No. 1 dating back to 1973.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Top 25, The Associated Press compiled a weekly poll to select the all-time No. 1 and name the best show of each decade. They were awarded points based on their performance in each poll, just like the weekly rankings, with the Tar Heels emerging as the best team of the 1980s with 3,115 points. Here are other top schools:
Georgetown (2,637 points)
John Thompson built the Hoyas into a national power, culminating in the 1983-84 season. Led by dominant big man Patrick Ewing, Georgetown won its only national championship and reached the title game the next season. The Hoyas were ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 through the first 10 weeks of the 1984-85 season and remained atop the rankings for 12 weeks throughout the season.
Syracuse(2,099)
After missing the NCAA tournament in consecutive seasons, Jim Boeheim led the Orange to 10 consecutive March Madness appearances starting in the 1982-83 season.Syracuse won the national championship in 1980 and was ranked No. 1 in two seasons in the 1980s
Kentucky(2,095)
Joe B. Hall followed in the footsteps of legendary coach Adolph Rupp and continued Kentucky’s success into the 1980s. He led the Wildcats to the NCAA tournament in each of his final six seasons in Lexington, then Eddie Sutton continued that momentum for three more years.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2,049)
After a few years in the doldrums, Jerry Tarkanian led the Runnin’ Rebels back to national prominence in the 1982-83 season. UNLV participated in the NCAA tournament for nine consecutive years and won the national championship in the 1989-90 season.
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