UNC’s 9-0 ACC Start is its First in Over Two Decades

UNC hadn’t won its first nine ACC games in a long time.

North Carolina now sits atop the ACC with a 9-0 conference record. The Tar Heels last accomplished that feat in the 2000-2001 season. That makes 23 years since it was last done by the program. UNC is rolling but does have a difficult stretch ahead.

How’d They Get Here?

The Tar Heels got here by winning in different ways. At times they have been scorching the net on offense, and other times, winning games with lock-down defense. When they put the two together, they look unbeatable. Through nine ACC games, only two teams, Louisville and Florida State, have reached 70 points. Every other team has gone under that mark. Less switching since non-conference play has made a huge difference, as has Armando Bacot, who has improved as a rim defender. According to KenPom, UNC’s defense is ranked fourth in the nation.

The Last Team to Do It

The 2000-2001 Tar Heel team started 9-0 before losing to Clemson. They finished 14-3 in the ACC and 26-7 overall. In the tournament, as a 2-seed, they would be upset by 7-seed Penn State.

The difference in the identities of these two is evident. The 2000-2001 team ranked 160th in points allowed per game. This year’s squad isn’t having that. Since December, the defense has been locked in and is one of the best teams at defending the three.

Next up: Georgia Tech.

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