The Fan's Corner

with Greg Duff: 02/21/02

UNC's struggles leave fans blue

Never before have Carolina faithful been forced to endure a season like this one. Not in 1965 when the Heels went 15-9, and Dean Smith was hung in effigy on the Carolina campus after a loss at Wake Forest. And not when the famous Smith finally hung it up and handed the controls to Bill Guthridge.

No, this is a season that all Carolina fans pray is not repeated, at least in their lifetimes.

For a school known for its basketball prowess, this year's Tar Heels will be remembered for this: A school record for most losses in a season; the first time in school history a men's basketball team has been 10 games below .500; and the most home losses in school history.

For some this may seem insignficant, but in the world of sports the Heels dramatic fall into the abyss would be equalled only if the Yankees finish last in the American League East.

North Carolina has been to the NCAA Tournament 27 straight years and trail only Kentucky and UCLA for the most tournament wins. This year, not only will they not be in the NCAA tournament, they won't be in the Not-in-Tournament Tournament, or the NIT for basketball purists.

How has this happened? How can a team go from playing in a Final Four two years ago to watching the entire postseason on television?

To find an answer to this question, I called a Carolina alum, a diehard Heel supporter I'll call "The Heel Fan."

"It has been very painful to watch," the Heel Fan said. "It is hard to figure out when and how the wheels fell off."

He hastened to add that he has not given up on his Heels, but that he switched between the Carolina-Florida State game and the Daytona 500 Sunday.

The most painful thought for Tar Heel faithful to consider is that this season is not an aberration, but a sign of things to come. The Heel Fan isn't sure.

"I don't think they will be vying for the ACC title next year because the talent is not there," he said. "It seems that after Dean and Guthridge left, the cupboard was bare. It will take time for Doherty to get that talent back."

Since he brought it up, I asked the Heel Fan if he blames Coach Matt Doherty for the season and whether North Carolina made a mistake by hiring the former player.

"I don't know yet, but I wish they would have hired Roy Williams," he said.

As March Madness approaches, what's a North Carolina fan to do? Normally, the ACC and NCAA tournaments are circled on the calender in permanent pen. Now for Tar Heel fans, these will be just like any other days. I asked the Heel Fan what he will be doing come tournament time.

"I still plan to watch. I love the tournaments and will be pulling for the other ACC teams," he said. "Still, if it's a pretty day outside or there is something else going on, I will be less inclined to stay in front of the TV than I would be if the Heels were on."

Chances are the Heel Fan will be interested again next year. Recruiting experts like the players Doherty is bring in and, whether you like him or not, it is not hard to imagine how infectious and effective his enthusiasm will be when he has the talent to compete with Duke and Maryland.

Back to Sports: 02/21/02.