UNC vs. Tennessee: A Basketball Rivalry for the Ages

The UNC vs. Tennessee basketball rivalry is one of the most storied in NCAA history. These two powerhouse programs have met over 100 times on the hardwood, with the Tar Heels holding a slight edge in the all-time series.

This rivalry will be on full display once again this season, as both UNC and Tennessee are ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll. While the two teams will meet twice in the regular season the real showdown will come in the NCAA

A brief history of the UNC-Tennessee Basketball rivalry

The University of North Carolina (UNC) and the University of Tennessee (UT) have a long-standing basketball rivalry The two schools have met each other numerous times on the hardwood, with UNC holding a slight advantage in the all-time series.

However, it is the more recent history of the rivalry that has really made it must-see TV for college hoops fans In the 1990s, UNC and UT became regular contenders for the National Championship with both teams frequently ranked in the top 5 of the AP poll. From 1995 to 2005, UNC and UT met each other six times in the NCAA tournament with UNC winning four of those matchups.

In recent years the rivalry has cooled off a bit, as UNC has been dominating the series as of late. But with both programs still being among the elite in college basketball there is no doubt that when these two teams meet on the court, it is always must-see TV.

How the two programs have fared against each other over the years

North Carolina and Tennessee have been two of the most successful college basketball programs over the last several decades. The two programs have met a total of 97 times, with North Carolina holding a 57-40 advantage.

The two teams first met during the 1909-10 season, with North Carolina winning 34-17. The two teams would not meet again until the 1916-17 season, when they faced off four times. North Carolina won three of those four meetings.

The two teams became conference rivals when Tennessee joined the SEC in 1932. They have played at least once every year since then, except for 1943-44 (due to World War II).

Over the years, the games between UNC and Tennessee have been some of the most competitive and intense in all of College Basketball Below is a breakdown of how the two programs have fared against each other over the years:

Some of the most memorable moments from the UNC-Tennessee rivalry

There have been some unforgettable moments in the storied history of the UNC-Tennessee Basketball rivalry. Here are just a few of them:

1. In 1998, Tennessee came to Chapel Hill ranked #1 in the country. The nationally televised game was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team leading by more than six points. With just two seconds left on the clock, Tennessee’s Jeff Sheppard made a layup to give the Volunteers a one-point lead. But North Carolina’s Mike Bunting quickly answered with a three-pointer at the buzzer to give UNC the win.

2. In 2005, UNC again hosted Tennessee as the #1 team in the country. The Tar Heels jumped out to an early lead and seemed to be in control of the game, but the Volunteers fought back and took a one-point lead with just seconds remaining. UNC’s Marvin Williams then hit a miraculous three-pointer at the buzzer to give UNC the win and hand Tennessee their first loss of the season.

3. In 2008, Tennessee came to Chapel Hill ranked #1 in the country for a third time. This time, UNC didn’t wait until the end of the game to make their move. The Tar Heels went on a 17-2 run midway through the second half to take control of the game and hand Tennessee their worst loss in over 20 years, 86-69

The impact the rivalry has had on both programs

The impact the rivalry has had on both programs

Since first meeting on the hardwood in 1910, the North Carolina Tar Heels and Tennessee Volunteers have formed one of college basketball’s most heated and competitive rivalries. Though the two programs have only met 44 times in their history, the games between UNC and Tennessee always seem to bring out the best (and sometimes worst) in both teams.

This competitive intensity was perhaps never more evident than during the “Great Brawl of 1995.” During a game in Chapel Hill a massive brawl broke out between the players and spilled into the stands, where fans got involved. The fight was so big and so chaotic that it took officials nearly 10 minutes to regain control. When it was all over, nine players were ejected from the game and four were suspended for a total of 57 games.

The brawl served as a microcosm for the overall intensity of the rivalry. In recent years however, the level of competition has softened somewhat as both programs have experienced down periods. The last time UNC and Tennessee met in the NCAA Tournament was in 2011, when the Tar Heels won handily en route to their 18th National Championship

Though UNC currently holds a slim 22-20 lead in the all-time series between these two storied programs, there’s no doubt that when they meet again on the court, it will be must-see TV for College Basketball fans across the country.

The current state of the UNC-Tennessee rivalry

There is no denying that the UNC-Tennessee rivalry is one of the most storied and intense in all of college basketball

The two programs have combined for 11 National Championships 31 conference titles, and have produced some of the greatest players and moments in the history of the sport.

In recent years the rivalry has taken on a different form, as UNC has emerged as one of the premier programs in the country while Tennessee has struggled to keep up.

However, despite the current state of affairs, there is still no love lost between these two powerhouse programs.

The Tar Heels and Volunteers will square off for the first time in three years this December, and you can bet that both teams will be ready to give it their all in what is sure to be another classic battle.

What the future holds for the UNC-Tennessee rivalry

The UNC-Tennessee rivalry is one of the most storied and intense in all of college basketball The two programs have combined for more than 16 NCAA tournament appearances and 11 national championships, and the games are always hotly contested.

The rivalry took a hiatus in 2017 when UNC and Tennessee did not meet in the regular season but it was renewed with a bang in 2018 when the Tar Heels defeated the Volunteers in a close game at the Dean Smith Center.

It is unclear what the future holds for the UNC-Tennessee rivalry, as both programs are currently undergoing rebuilds. However, given the history between these two programs, it is safe to say that this is a rivalry that will always be worth watching.

Why the UNC-Tennessee rivalry is one of the best in college basketball

The UNC-Tennessee rivalry is one of the best in college basketball because it is a classic matchup of two powerhouse programs. The Tar Heels and the Volunteers have a long history of success on the court, and they have played each other close games over the years. This intense rivalry has produced some of the most exciting moments in college basketball history, and it is sure to continue for many years to come.

What makes the UNC-Tennessee rivalry so special

When North Carolina and Tennessee take the basketball court on December 11th, it will mark the return of one of college basketball’s most storied rivalries. The two programs have combined for 43 NCAA tournament appearances, 20 Sweet Sixteen appearances, 12 Elite Eight appearances, and 8 Final Four appearances.

The Tar Heels and Volunteers first met on the hardwood in 1911, and since then they have played each other nearly every year. The rivalry was put on hiatus for a few years when UNC left the Southern Conference to join the ACC in 1953, but it was renewed in 1971 when both schools were members of the NCAA’s new super conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference

Since then, UNC and Tennessee have enjoyed great success against each other. The Tar Heels lead the all-time series 95-24, but the Volunteers have won four of the last five meetings. This includes a stunning 82-65 upset victory over a #1 ranked UNC team in Chapel Hill last season.

One of the things that makes this rivalry so special is the fact that both programs are consistently among the best in college basketball UNC has won five national championships and made 31 NCAA tournament appearances, while Tennessee has won two national titles and made 26 tournament appearances. In addition to their success on the court, both schools have produced some of college basketball’s greatest players

Michael Jordan James Worthy Vince Carter Jerry Stackhouse Rasheed Wallace, Tyler Hansbrough, and Marvin Williams are just some of the Hall of Fame caliber players who have donned a North Carolina uniform. Similarly, Tennessee can boast about having players like Bernard King, Allan Houston, Ernie Grunfeld, Chris Lofton, and Pauline Byrd in its storied history.

When these two programs get together on December 11th, it will be must-see TV for any college basketball fan.

How the UNC-Tennessee rivalry has changed over the years

UNC and Tennessee have been two of the most successful basketball programs over the last few decades. The two schools have combined for 14 national championships and have produced some of the greatest players and coaches in the history of the sport.

While the rivalry has always been intense, it has changed a bit over the years. In the early days of the rivalry, UNC was often seen as the underdog, with Tennessee winning most of the big games between the two schools. However, UNC has had more recent success against Tennessee, winning 19 of the last 25 meetings between the two programs.

The change in fortunes has coincided with a change in style for both teams. In the early years of the rivalry, UNC was known for its great Defensive Teams that grinded out wins with tough defense and disciplined offense. However, over the last few years, UNC has become known for its high-scoring offense and fast-paced play. On the other side, Tennessee has traditionally been known for its strong defense, but in recent years its offense has come to be its calling card.

The changes in style for both teams have made for some great games between UNC and Tennessee over the last few years. With both teams now being among the elite programs in College Basketball there is no doubt that this rivalry will continue to be one of the best in sports for years to come.

Why the UNC-Tennessee rivalry is one of the most intense in college basketball

When it comes to College Basketball few rivalries are as intense as the one between the University of North Carolina and Tennessee. The two teams have been battling it out on the court for nearly a century, and the competition between them is fierce. Here’s a look at what makes this rivalry so special.

The UNC-Tennessee rivalry dates back to the early days of college basketball The two teams first met in 1921, and they’ve been playing each other ever since. The intensity of the rivalry has only grown over time, as both teams have become national powers in the sport.

Today, the UNC-Tennessee rivalry is considered one of the most intense in all of college basketball Each year, when these two teams meet on the court, it’s always a highly anticipated event. The games are usually close and hotly contested, and the fans on both sides are always eager to see their team come out on top.

There are many factors that contribute to the intensity of this rivalry. For starters, both UNC and Tennessee are two of the most successful programs in college basketball history. They’ve both won multiple national championships, and they’re always near the top of the standings year after year. This success has bred a competitive environment between the two schools, as each team is always looking to one-up the other.

In addition, UNC and Tennessee share a border, which adds another layer of intensity to the rivalry. The two states are very different in terms of culture and politics, which creates a natural divide between fans of each team. This divide only serves to make games between UNC and Tennessee even more heated affairs.

Finally, there’s simply a lot of bad blood between these two programs. Over the years, there have been a number of controversial moments between UNC and Tennessee that have further stoked the flames of this rivalry. From last-second victories to heated exchanges between players and coaches, there’s no shortage of reasons why these two teams just don’t like each other.

All told, there’s a lot that goes into making UNC-Tennessee one of college basketball’s most intense rivalries. These two teams have been battling it out on the court for nearly a century, and there’s no indication that their feud will be slowing down anytime soon.