Was 1981–82 the Greatest Season in UNC Basketball History?: How Dean Smith, James Worthy, Sam Perkins, and a Freshman Named Michael Jordan Delivered a Championship and a Legacy That Tar Heel Fans Will Never Forget..
How Dean Smith, James Worthy, Sam Perkins, and a Freshman Named Michael Jordan Delivered a Championship and a Legacy That Tar Heel Fans Will Never Forget
Chapel Hill, N.C. — Ask any Tar Heel fan about the greatest season in North Carolina basketball history, and the conversation inevitably circles back to 1981–82. It was the year when Dean Smith, a coaching legend in the making, finally claimed his first national championship after years of heartbreaking near-misses. It was the year when James Worthy became unstoppable, Sam Perkins proved his dominance inside, and a quiet freshman named Michael Jordan hit the shot that would echo through basketball history.
Dean Smith’s Redemption Season
Before 1982, Dean Smith had been branded with the cruelest of reputations: the brilliant coach who “couldn’t win the big one.” Despite leading UNC to multiple Final Fours, including a crushing title-game loss to Indiana in 1981, Smith entered the season under immense pressure. Yet, rather than breaking under expectations, Smith quietly molded a team that combined experience, balance, and youthful energy.
Worthy and Perkins formed one of the most formidable frontcourts in the nation. Junior guard Jimmy Black provided leadership and poise, while the addition of a wiry freshman named Michael Jordan gave the Heels a new spark.
“This was Dean’s most complete team,” recalled former UNC broadcaster Woody Durham. “They had size, speed, and intelligence—and finally, the ability to finish.”
The Road to New Orleans
UNC entered the 1981–82 campaign ranked among the nation’s best and delivered a 32–2 record. They navigated the brutal ACC, secured the conference championship, and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Along the way, they faced—and conquered—elite competition, including a showdown with Ralph Sampson and Virginia, one of the most feared teams of the era.
Every step of the way, Smith’s squad displayed grit, patience, and the discipline of the famed Carolina system.
The Championship Game: UNC vs. Georgetown
On March 29, 1982, inside the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, North Carolina met Georgetown in one of the most anticipated NCAA Finals ever. The Hoyas, coached by John Thompson and led by a dominant freshman center named Patrick Ewing, were as physically imposing as any team in the nation.
The game was a classic from start to finish, a back-and-forth duel that tested nerves as much as talent.
James Worthy was electric, scoring 28 points and attacking Georgetown’s defense relentlessly.
Sam Perkins battled Ewing inside, holding his ground against the towering force.
And then, with 17 seconds left and the Tar Heels trailing by one, the ball found the hands of freshman Michael Jordan.
From the left wing, Jordan released a jumper that seemed destined for history. It swished through the net, giving UNC a 63–62 lead.
Moments later, Georgetown’s Fred Brown mistakenly passed the ball directly to James Worthy, sealing North Carolina’s victory. Dean Smith had his long-awaited championship, and Michael Jordan had announced his arrival to the basketball world.
The Aftermath and the Legacy
The 1981–82 championship was transformative for everyone involved:
Dean Smith shed the “can’t win the big one” label and went on to become one of the greatest coaches in basketball history, eventually retiring with 879 wins and two national titles.
James Worthy earned Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four honors and became the No. 1 overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, launching a Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sam Perkins developed into a long-time NBA veteran known for his versatility and clutch play.
And Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot became the first chapter in the legend of MJ, foreshadowing the dominance and global superstardom that would follow.
The Greatest Season Ever?
Tar Heel fans continue to debate whether 1981–82 was the single greatest season in UNC history. Some argue that the 2009 or 2017 championship teams, with their depth and dominance, deserve the crown. Others point to 1993, when Smith captured his second title.
Yet for many, the 1982 season stands alone—not just because of the championship, but because of what it symbolized: redemption for Dean Smith, validation for Worthy and Perkins, and the beginning of the Michael Jordan era.
As Worthy himself once said:
> “That season wasn’t just about winning a title. It was about changing the course of Carolina basketball forever.”
And change it did.
