Ranking the North Carolina Tar Heels' Six National Championships

From the golden eras of Frank McGuire and the legendary Dean Smith to the modern era of Hall of Famer Roy Williams, the North Carolina Tar Heels have built one of the richest legacies in the history of college basketball. This is particularly true when it comes to this storied program’s illustrious past in the NCAA Tournament. A past that now includes six national championships, an NCAA-record 20 Final Four appearances and some of the all-time great moments in March Madness history. In light of the Tar Heels’ most recent crowning achievement, we thought we would take a stroll down memory lane by ranking each of North Carolina’s six national titles (from least to most memorable).

Related: Ranking College Basketball's National Champions since 1985

— Written by Rob McVey, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @Rob_UTVOLS.

Head Coach: Roy Williams

Record: 33-7, 14-4 ACC

National Championship Game: Defeated Gonzaga 71-65

Many believed that North Carolina would take a step backwards in 2016-17 with the departures of Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige. But a poised group of experienced Tar Heels had other plans. Led by Final Four Most Outstanding Player Joel Berry II, All-American and ACC Player of the Year Justin Jackson, and big men Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks, North Carolina went in search of redemption following the heart-breaking last-second loss to Villanova in the 2016 title game. While it wasn’t always pretty, the Heels would ultimately get that redemption, knocking off Gonzaga 71-65 to win their sixth national championship. It is Roy Williams’ third national championship as head coach at North Carolina, placing him amongst some very elite company. While this may not be North Carolina’s most memorable national championship to date, it holds a special place. Luke Maye’s game winning shot against Kentucky to advance to the Final Four will forever be remembered as one of the great moments in Tournament history.

Head Coach: Roy Williams

Record: 34-4, 13-3 ACC

National Championship Game: Defeated Michigan State 89-72

While 2009 isn’t widely considered the most compelling or exciting of North Carolina’s six national titles, it is unquestionably the Tar Heels' most dominant run in the NCAA Tournament in school history. A stellar lineup led by Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson and Final Four Most Outstanding Player Wayne Ellington would barely even need to break a sweat in order to cut down the nets.

North Carolina literally obliterated everyone in its path, winning by an average margin of 20 points per game. It was a run of dominance that culminated in an 89-72 victory over the Michigan State Spartans, giving the Heels their fifth national championship. It would be Roy Williams’ second national title as head coach of the Tar Heels.

Head Coach: Dean Smith

Record: 34-4, 14-2 ACC

National Championship Game: Defeated Michigan 77-71

In what was one of the more hyped games in NCAA Tournament history, the 1993 national championship did not disappoint. The Tar Heels would square off against Michigan’s famed “Fab 5” for the second time in the 1992-93 season, in search of redemption after losing to the Wolverines by a score of 79-78 earlier in the season.

North Carolina, led by Eric Montross, George Lynch and Tournament MOP Donald Williams, would get its revenge by defeating the favored Wolverines 77-71.  In what is often referred to as the “Timeout Game”, Michigan’s Chris Webber called a timeout with 11 seconds remaining, down by just two points. The problem was, the Wolverines had no timeouts remaining, resulting in a technical foul that would help seal the deal for the Tar Heels. The monumental win resulted in Carolina’s third national title in school history, as well as head coach Dean Smith’s second and final national championship.

Head Coach: Roy Williams

Record: 33-4, 14-2 ACC

Championship Game: Defeated Illinois 75-70

A star-studded 2004-05 North Carolina squad, led by Raymond Felton, Rashad McCants and Tournament MOP Sean May, had one of the more difficult runs to the title game in school history. But after dodging a couple of bullets early, the Heels would make their way to their first Final Four since 2000.

Carolina would cruise past Michigan State with ease in the semifinals to set up a matchup against No. 1 overall seed Illinois in the title game. The favored Fighting Illini, led by Dee Brown, Luther Head and Deron Williams, entered the game with a record of 37-1. But the underdog Tar Heels would not be denied, garnering a memorable 75-70 upset victory, securing UNC’s fourth national championship in the process. The win also provided Roy Williams with his first national title as a head coach.

Head Coach: Dean Smith

Record: 32-2, 12-2 ACC

Championship Game: Defeated Georgetown 63-62

The 1982 North Carolina national championship team was absolutely loaded with legendary players such as Sam Perkins, James Worthy and Michael Jordan. And they would go on to play in one of the most iconic title games in NCAA Tournament history. A potent Georgetown team, led by Patrick Ewing and Eric “Sleepy” Floyd, would take a 62-61 lead against the Tar Heels late in the game before a freshman by the name of Jordan hit a go-ahead jumper with just 15 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Georgetown’s Fred Brown would mistakenly throw the ball to Worthy, who would be named Tournament MOP. The Tar Heels would dribble out the remaining seconds on the clock, giving them a 63-62 victory and their first national title since 1957. It was the first of two national championships for iconic Tar Heels head coach Dean Smith. Roy Williams served as an assistant coach for that 1982 championship team as well.

Head Coach: Frank McGuire

Record: 32-0, 14-0 ACC

Championship Game: Defeated Kansas 54-53 (3 OT)

A strong argument can made for the Tar Heels’ 1982 national championship as the greatest in school history. However, UNC’s 1957 run to the national title was truly special on every level. The Tar Heels, led by Lennie Rosenbluth, would have to survive back-to-back triple overtime games in order to be crowned the ’57 champions. First, by narrowly defeating Michigan State 74-70 in the semifinals, then by beating a powerhouse Kansas team, led by the great Wilt Chamberlain, by a score of 54-53 in the title game. The victory culminated in the Tar Heels' first national title in school history and a perfect 32-0 record. Frank McGuire’s 1956-57 squad is still the only North Carolina team to go undefeated in the NCAA Tournament era.