Since its inception, the ACC Network has mostly resisted the opportunity to talk about some of the great Tar Heel teams of the past. They memorably opened with a documentary about the titles won in Durham,
and have films on various title winners from Clemson, Georgia Tech, and others. They have a wonderful series on the ACC Tournament in which the Tar Heels’ success has been featured, but as the focus was just on that tournament itself, there really hasn’t been a lot committed to film about the six NCAA title winning teams.
That will change next Saturday when the ACC Network debuts “We’re No. 1: 1993 North Carolina Tar Heels.” The trailer for it was released earlier this week:
That ‘93 team may be one the biggest afterthought national title winning team in NCAA History. The game has consistently been remembered as the “Chris Webber Timeout” game, and always seems to be recognized by the world at large as a Michigan failure as opposed to a UNC success. Even the discussion in ESPN’s “Fab Five” documentary had quotes from the players as ones where they felt like they should have beaten Carolina and seemed more to blame others’ mistakes instead of acknowledging what it took for those mistakes to happen. Though we ought to give Jalen Rose credit for saying that Webber traveled before the timeout.
This documentary will finally give the UNC viewpoint of this season. From the heralded recruiting class headlined by Eric Montross and including Derrick Phelps and Brian Reese, to the remarkable sophomore Donald Williams, and the rock of a senior George Lynch — this team has been appreciated before. Now, though, the surviving players and coaches all will sit down and explain the ups and downs of the season. The trailer teases the pressure building on legendary coach Dean Smith to win another title after “only” winning one so far despite having one of the best programs in the country, to the quick ascendence of the Blue Devils and the spotlight it brought. It appears they’ll also give their perspective on the Michigan Fab Five, and likely more will be discussed about the fact that the title game was actually their second meeting that season — the first having been decided by a last-second basket by Webber.
That 1993 season also included the famous comeback against Florida State where the Smith Center crowd tried to rebel against Sam Cassell’s “wine and cheese” comment.
The release for the film outlines who will appear on the documentary, including voices Tar Heel fans haven’t heard in a long time; surviving players and coaches, as well as opposing players and coaches in Dave Odom, Roy Williams, and Jimmy King. The biggest treat may actually be UNC alumnus and former color man for the Tar Heel Sports Network Mick Mixon offering his view from the broadcast position alongside the late Woody Durham for that magical season.
Some of the most poignant voices will likely be of Eric Montross’ son Andrew and daughter Sarah. The release also mentions behind-the-scenes videos of the season thanks to home videos taken by the late Montross. It’s sure to provide a view that few have seen, as the title came at a time of no social media, and Dean Smith famously restricted access to the team outside of games.
The documentary will premiere right after the conclusion of the UNC/Wake Forest tilt in Chapel Hill, also to be broadcast on ACCN. Expect a few more snippets of the film to slip out next week as the premier gets closer.
