Let’s be honest about this. A ranking, in college basketball, means nothing more than a politician’s promise. It is something to be discussed politely over fine chardonnay, or to be debated bitterly over cold beer. But-really-it matters not at all. The NCAA tourney guarantees that.
So North Carolina finishes this poll season as the sixth and final team to hold the No. 1 ranking? So what? All that means is the Tar Heels have a chance to match Duke’s accomplishment of a season ago: winning the national title after finishing No. 1.
But, quickly now, take a little history test, and answer this question. Which school, before the Blue Devils, managed that (as it turns out) unusual parlay?
The Blue Devils themselves in ’91? Nope. They entered the tourney ranked No. 6 in the AP poll.
Vegas in ’90? Nope. No. 3.
Michigan in ’89? Nope. No. 10.
Kansas in ’88? Nope. Unranked.
Indiana in ’87? Nope. No. 3.
Louisville in ’86? Nope. No. 7.
Villanova in ’85? Nope. Unranked.
Georgetown in ’84? Nope. No. 2.
North Carolina State in ’83? Nope. No. 16.
Carolina itself in ’82? Bingo! That was the last time a school put up the parlay Duke did in ’92.
Oh, and while we’re lookin’ at history, you might want to note this. The last time Carolina ended the regular season ranked No. 1 was 1984, and in that season’s tourney the Tar Heels lost in an East Regional semifinal to Indiana. The Hoosiers, by the way, entered that tourney unranked.
1. N. Carolina 26-3 11. Cincinnati 22-4
2. Indiana 26-3 12. W. Forest 19-7
3. Michigan 24-4 13. Utah 22-5
4. Kentucky 23-3 14. Arkansas 19-7
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5. Duke 23-6 15. New Orlns 26-2
6. Arizona 22-3 16. UMass 20-6
7. Vanderbilt 25-4 17. Purdue 17-8
8. Kansas 24-5 18. Iowa 18-8
9. Seton Hall 24-6 19. Louisville 18-8
10. Florida St. 22-8 20. Xavier 21-4