UNC earns low ranking on Top 10 college basketball programs of 2000s

The UNC men’s basketball team, which has captured three national titles since 2005, was tabbed one of the 2000’s greatest programs.

What’s the first sport you think of when you hear UNC?

Is it football? Baseball? Women’s soccer, lacrosse or field hockey?

For many, it’s men’s basketball – and it’s easy to see why.

The Tar Heels are one of the most successful collegiate programs of all-time, particularly in the 2000s – six national titles (most recently in 2019), six-runner-up finishes (2022), 21 Final Fours and a whopping 52 NCAA Tournament appearances, second to only Kentucky.

A seventh title should’ve been captured last year, only for Kansas to overcome a 15-point halftime deficit.

As a result of their recent dominance, excluding last year, the Tar Heels slotted in at number seven on On3 Sports’ list of Top 10 college basketball programs sine 2000.

All of these schools have won a title since 2000 besides UCLA (1995), who holds the record for all-time championships with 11, plus Gonzaga, which made runs to the 2017 and 2021 championships.

UConn captured the 2023 crown, defeating San Diego State in the title game behind a historic tournament from center Adama Sanogo. The Tar Heels were favored to win it after reaching the 2022 title game, but fell on the wrong side of history by becoming the first preseason number one to not reach the tournament.

With Armando Bacot and R.J. Davis returning, the re-classification of Elliot Cadeau and acquisition of starters Harrison Ingram and Jae’Lyn Withers from the transfer portal, there’s hope UNC can get back to championship heights. The Tar Heels will open up 2023-2024 play on Monday, Nov. 6 against Radford.

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