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ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Lucas: First Time For Everything
April 5, 2009

They have done it all. Since arriving in Chapel Hill about 44 months ago to begin summer school, this senior class has done a little bit of everything. They have won three regular season Atlantic Coast Conference championships and two league tournament titles. They have been to two Final Fours.

Title Game Bound; North Carolina Defeats Villanova, 83-69
April 4, 2009

In a classic case of men vs. boys, North Carolina never gave Villanova much chance to breathe, let alone whip up a fresh dose of Final Four magic. Ty Lawson scored 22 points, Wayne Ellington had 20 more, and the Tar Heels, with their four, five, maybe more NBA-caliber players, eased to an 83-69 win Saturday night over the plucky but overmatched Wildcats.

Lawson Wins Bob Cousy Award As Nation's Top Point Guard
April 2, 2009

University of North Carolina junior Ty Lawson is the recipient of the 2009 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford, the Basketball Hall of Fame announced today. The Clinton, Md., native is the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA South Regional and a first-team All-America by the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Basketball Times, Sports Illustrated and CBS.

UNC Outlasts Oklahoma, 72-60
March 29, 2009

Blake Griffin might be the nation's best player. North Carolina brushed him aside with a total team effort. Ty Lawson scored 19 points and Danny Green added 18 to lead the top-seeded Tar Heels to a 72-60 win over Griffin and Oklahoma on Sunday in the South Regional final.

Tar Heels Bounce Bulldogs, 98-77
March 28, 2009

Ty Lawson sat on the sideline with both feet propped up on a chair, shooting an occasional glance toward the court as his left ankle was re-taped. He went back in the game a few moments later, but there was no rush. North Carolina had this one well under control.

Sweet Saturday: UNC Stops LSU; Moves onto Sweet Sixteen, 84-70
March 21, 2009

No one has ever doubted Ty Lawson's talent, speed or ability to take over a game for North Carolina. Maybe now Lawson won't hear so many questions about whether he's tough enough, too. Lawson scored 21 of his 23 points after halftime in his return from a toe injury, and his three-point play sparked the decisive second-half run as North Carolina held off LSU 84-70 in the South Regional on Saturday.

Tar Heels Down Radford, 101-58
March 19, 2009

Tyler Hansbrough heard the roar of the crowd and knew he had just become the leading scorer in Atlantic Coast Conference history. His response? Just run down court and get back on defense. Whether he liked it or not, Hansbrough's latest record overshadowed North Carolina's 101-58 win over Radford to open the NCAA tournament on Thursday.

President Obama Picks Tar Heels
March 18, 2009

President Barack Obama picked North Carolina in his 2009 NCAA bracket, which was unveiled Wednesday on ESPN. It is the second straight season Obama has selected the Tar Heels to cut down the nets. His Final Four consists of UNC, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Memphis. He has the Tar Heels and Cardinals in the championship game.

Hansbrough Named First-Team All-America By USBWA
March 17, 2009

North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough headlines the 2008-09 U.S. Basketball Writers Association's All-America Team, released this week. The 6-9 senior from Poplar Bluff, Mo., has earned a spot on the first team for the third straight season.

Tar Heels Earn No. 1 Seed In NCAA Tournament South Regional
March 15, 2009

The University of North Carolina men's basketball team has earned a No. 1 seed in the 2009 NCAA Tournament and will open play on Thursday against No. 16 seed Radford (21-11) in Greensboro, N.C. The Tar Heels (28-4) are a top seed for the 13th time, an NCAA record.

No. 1 Tar Heels Fall To No. 22 Florida State, 73-70
March 14, 2009

North Carolina can start focusing on a national championship. The nation's top-ranked team was denied a shot at its third straight Atlantic Coast Conference title. Tyler Hansbrough had 22 points and 12 rebounds, but the reigning national player of the year lost control of the ball trying to get inside for a shot with about 20 seconds remaining and North Carolina trailing 71-70. Florida State's Derwin Kitchen scooped it up, was fouled and hit two clutch free throws.

Tar Heels Hold Off Virginia Tech, 79-76
March 13, 2009

Tyler Hansbrough pumped his fists and sprinted off the court after another close call against Virginia Tech. Only one problem - he was heading toward the wrong tunnel. That was about the only thing that didn't go his way Friday. Hansbrough scored 28 points and made a disputed defensive stop in the final seconds as No. 1 North Carolina avoided an upset at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, holding off Virginia Tech 79-76 on Friday.

Hansbrough First Four-Time, First-Team All-America In ACC History
March 12, 2009

The Sporting News has named University of North Carolina senior forward Tyler Hansbrough a first-team All-America for the fourth consecutive year and junior point guard Ty Lawson a second-team All-America in the magazine's March 16 issue.

Hansbrough, Lawson Earn First-Team All-ACC Honors
March 9, 2009

Tar Heels Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson both earned spots on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 2 team, the NABC announced on March 5.

Lawson Named ACC Player Of The Year
March 10, 2009

University of North Carolina junior Ty Lawson is the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, the first point guard to win the award since UNC's Phil Ford in 1978. The United States Basketball Writers Association of America also named Lawson the District 3 Player of the Year. District 3 includes players from the states of Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Hansbrough, Lawson Earn First-Team All-ACC Honors
March 9, 2009

Tar Heels Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson both earned spots on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 2 team, the NABC announced on March 5.

No. 2 North Carolina Defeats No. 7 Duke, 79-71
March 8, 2009

Tyler Hansbrough walked off the court after his final home game at North Carolina celebrating another Atlantic Coast Conference championship and another win against the Tar Heels' fiercest rival. And once again, Ty Lawson had a lot to do with that.

Hansbrough, Lawson Earn NABC All-District Honors
March 5, 2009

Tar Heels Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson both earned spots on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 2 team, the NABC announced on March 5.

Tar Heels Hold Off Hokies 86-78
March 4, 2009

Tyler Hansbrough had 22 points and 15 rebounds and No. 2 North Carolina stayed on track to win the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title with an 86-78 victory over fading Virginia Tech on Wednesday night.

Hansbrough, Lawson Among 15 Finalists For Oscar Robertson Trophy
February 26, 2009

University of North Carolina standouts Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson are two of the 15 finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy given by the United States Basketball Writers Association to the National Player of the Year.

TSN Goes Inside UNC-Duke
February 26, 2009

If you're looking to relive the Feb. 11 win over Duke or just looking to get jacked up for next weekend's Senior Day clash at the Smith Center, stop what you're doing and run to your local newsstand (do those still exist?) to pick up a copy of The Sporting News.

Lawson Named ACC Player Of The Week
February 22, 2009

North Carolina's Ty Lawson has been named ACC Player of the Week and Virginia's Sylven Landesberg is the ACC Rookie of the Week, the conference announced on Feb. 16.

Tar Heels Lose OT Heartbreaker To Maryland 88-85
February 21, 2009

Greivis Vasquez recorded Maryland's first triple-double since 1987, and the Terrapins rallied from a 16-point deficit to shock No. 3 North Carolina 88-85 in overtime Saturday, ending the Tar Heels' 10-game winning streak.

No. 3 North Carolina Defeats Miami, 69-65
February 15, 2009

North Carolina's point guard scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half, including the game-sealing 3-pointer with 10.6 seconds left, and the third-ranked Tar Heels held off a strong Hurricanes' comeback bid on the way to a 69-65 win Sunday night.

Williams Coaches 200th UNC Game
February 13, 2009

Sunday's game at Miami is the 200th as head coach of the Tar Heels for Roy Williams. Carolina is 164-35 under Williams. No coach in ACC history has more wins in his first 200 games at an ACC school. The previous record for wins by a coach in the first 200 games was 161 by NC State's Everett Case.

Lawson Leads UNC Past Duke 101-87
February 11, 2009

Ty Lawson helped Tyler Hansbrough make it four in a row at Cameron Indoor Stadium, while keeping himself perfect against North Carolina's most despised rival. Lawson scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half, and No. 3 North Carolina rallied past No. 6 Duke 101-87 on Wednesday night.

Ellington Named Progress Energy Performer Of The Week
February 9, 2009

Wayne Ellington averaged 27 points in wins over Maryland and Virginia and is the Progress Energy Tar Heel of the Week for Feb. 2-8, 2009. The Wynnewood, Pa., native scored 34 points, grabbed a team- and career-high nine rebounds, and matched his career high with seven three-pointers in the win over Maryland and had 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and four three-pointers against Virginia.

Hansbrough Named Finalist For Senior CLASS Award
February 4, 2009

University of North Carolina senior Tyler Hansbrough is among a high-achieving group of 10 NCAA Division I men's and basketball student-athletes identified as finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.

Lucas: Ginyard Quietly Copes
January 30, 2009

Thirty minutes before one of this week's practices, the Smith Center training room is lively. Deon Thompson is talking. Tyler Zeller checks in. Mike Copeland, as always, is entertaining. Just on the other side of the door, though, Marcus Ginyard sits quietly alone in trainer Chris Hirth's office, working his injured foot back and forth on a contraption that's not even yet available for public sale.

No. 5 North Carolina Defeats Florida State, 80-77
January 28, 2009

Tyler Hansbrough added 24 points for the Tar Heels (16-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who used a 13-0 run to end the first half and push ahead for good. But it was Ellington, who had struggled with his shot much of the season, who got North Carolina rolling with a dazzling shooting display that turned a close game into a rout.

Ellington Named Progress Energy Performer Of The Week
January 27, 2009

North Carolina's struggles appear to be over, and a return to basics with a big dose of Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson made it look easy again. Hansbrough scored 28 points, Lawson had 19 with nine assists, and the No. 5 Tar Heels beat Virginia 83-61 Thursday night to snap a surprising two-game losing streak in the ACC.

No. 5 Tar Heels Pull Away to Defeat Miami
January 17, 2009

Tyler Hansbrough added 24 points for the Tar Heels (16-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who used a 13-0 run to end the first half and push ahead for good. But it was Ellington, who had struggled with his shot much of the season, who got North Carolina rolling with a dazzling shooting display that turned a close game into a rout.

No. 5 Tar Heels Rout Cavaliers for First ACC Win
January 15, 2009

North Carolina's struggles appear to be over, and a return to basics with a big dose of Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson made it look easy again. Hansbrough scored 28 points, Lawson had 19 with nine assists, and the No. 5 Tar Heels beat Virginia 83-61 Thursday night to snap a surprising two-game losing streak in the ACC.

No. 3 Tar Heels Fall to No. 4 Demon Deacons
January 11, 2009

Jeff Teague scored a career-high 34 points and No. 4 Wake Forest held on to beat third-ranked North Carolina 92-89 on Sunday night. Chas McFarland matched a season high with 20 points for the Demon Deacons (14-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who remained one of three unbeatens in Division I and matched the 1980-81 team that also won its first 14 games.

Tar Heels Strong Against College of Charleston, Win 108-70
January 7, 2009

Tyler Hansbrough had 24 points and third-ranked North Carolina bounced back from its first loss by beating College of Charleston 108-70 on Wednesday night. Deon Thompson added 15 points for the Tar Heels (14-1) in their first game since Sunday's stunning 85-78 home loss to Boston College. North Carolina used a 19-2 run spanning halftime to turn the game into a rout, shot 59 percent for the game and cracked the 100-point mark for the fifth time this year.

Tar Heels Fall To Boston College
January 4, 2009

Tyrese Rice and Boston College put an end to all that talk of whether No. 1 North Carolina could go unbeaten. Rice scored 25 points in his second straight big game against the Tar Heels to help the Eagles stun North Carolina 85-78 on Sunday, likely ending its run atop the early season polls.

Tar Heels Win Thirteenth Straight With 84-61 Victory Over Nevada
December 31, 2008

Tyler Hansbrough missed the only shot he took the first 8 minutes against Nevada, but he took over after that to help keep top-ranked North Carolina undefeated. Hansbrough finished with 22 points Wednesday night as the Tar Heels dispatched of the Wolf Pack 84-61 - their school-record 13th straight win by double figures.

Tar Heels Make It 11 Straight, Defeat Valparaiso 85-63
December 20, 2008

Once Tyler Hansbrough heated up, so did No. 1 North Carolina. Hansbrough scored 25 points and the Tar Heels overcame a sluggish start Saturday before rolling to an 85-63 victory over Valparaiso. Hansbrough, who became North Carolina's career scoring leader Thursday night in a victory over Evansville, sparked runs at the end of the first half and beginning of the second.

Hansbrough Breaks Scoring Record In Rout Of Evansville 91-73
December 18, 2008

Top-ranked North Carolina waited for Tyler Hansbrough to make history, then cruised to its latest lopsided victory. Hansbrough scored 20 points Thursday night to break the storied program's career scoring record and help the Tar Heels remain unbeaten with a 91-73 victory over Evansville.

No. 1 North Carolina Dominant Against No. 13 Michigan St., Win 98-63
December 3, 2008

Top-ranked North Carolina was impressive in what it hopes will be the first of three games at Ford Field. Tyler Hansbrough scored the first basket of both halves and finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Tar Heels to a 98-63 rout of Michigan State (No. 12 ESPN/USA Today, No. 13 AP) on Wednesday night.

Lawson Named ACC Player Of The Week
December 1, 2008

North Carolina's Ty Lawson has been named ACC Player of the Week while Wake Forest's Al-Farouq Aminu earned ACC Rookie honors, the conference announced on Monday.

No. 1 North Carolina Downs UNC-Asheville, 116-48
November 30, 2008

Ty Lawson scored 22 points to help No. 1 North Carolina beat North Carolina-Asheville 116-48 on Sunday despite playing without national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough. Danny Green added 18 points for the Tar Heels (7-0), who had an easy time staying unbeaten heading into their matchup with fifth-ranked Michigan State this week in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. North Carolina shot 57 percent, led 53-19 at halftime and cracked the 100-point mark with about 5 minutes left.

Lucas: Airplane Drama In Maui
November 28, 2008

Carolina practices the best way to get the ball in bounds and call timeout to preserve precious seconds in a last-chance shot situation. And yet, despite all that practice, despite the pains that are taken every day to make sure that the North Carolina Tar Heels never encounter a single situation for which they are not prepared, it's in those moments where there can be no preparation that you learn the most about them.

Tar Heels Win Maui Invitational, Defeat Notre Dame 102-87
November 27, 2008

Tyler Hansbrough looked like his old self and North Carolina looked like the unanimous No. 1. The reigning national player of the year who had played in only two games this season because of leg injuries, Hansbrough had 34 points to lead the top-ranked Tar Heels to a 102-87 victory over No. 8 Notre Dame on Wednesday night in the championship game of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

Tar Heels Prepare For Maui Invitational Opener
November 23, 2008

Top-ranked North Carolina (3-0) will open play in the 2008 EA Sports Maui Invitational when it plays host Chaminade on Monday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time (4:30 p.m. in Hawaii) in the Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii. The game will be televised nationally by ESPNU.

Six Hit Double Figures as Tar Heels Roll vs. UC Santa Barbara
November 22, 2008

Ty Lawson led six players in double figures with 19 points, including Tyler Hansbrough who had 13 in his season debut, and No. 1 North Carolina defeated UC Santa Barbara 84-67 Friday night. Hansbrough missed the first two games for Carolina (3-0) because of a stress reaction in his right shin.

Top-Ranked Tar Heels Top Wildcats, 77-58
November 18, 2008

Deon Thompson scored a career-high 20 points to help top-ranked North Carolina beat Kentucky 77-58 on Tuesday night despite playing yet again without national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough. Wayne Ellington had 16 points for the Tar Heels (2-0), who led by double figures barely 4 minutes into the game and never looked back in a matchup of the winningest programs in men's college basketball.

Tar Heels Start Season With Win Over Penn 86-71
November 8, 2008

Freshman Tyler Zeller scored 18 points Saturday to help top-ranked North Carolina beat Pennsylvania 86-71 despite playing without reigning national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough. Deon Thompson added 17 points for the Tar Heels, who led by double figures much of the day yet had trouble putting together a game-sealing run without their injured star senior roaming the paint.

AP Poll: Tar Heels First Unanimous Preseason No. 1
November 1, 2008

Not only are the North Carolina Tar Heels No. 1 in The Associated Press' preseason Top 25, they are the first unanimous No. 1 since the preseason poll began in 1981-82.