1993 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Game

The 1993 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Game took place on April 5, 1993 between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Michigan Wolverines at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The match-up was the final one of the fifty-fifth consecutive NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship single-elimination tournament — commonly referred to as the NCAA Tournament — organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is used to crown a national champion for men's basketball at the Division I level.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

1993 NCAA Tournament Championship Game
National Championship Game
Michigan Wolverines North Carolina Tar Heels (0–4[N 1]) (33–4) 71 77 Head coach: Steve Fisher Head coach: Dean Smith AP: 3 AP: 4
1 2 Total Michigan 36 35 71 North Carolina 42 35 77
Date	April 5, 1993
Arena	Louisiana Superdome
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana
Favorite	North Carolina by 2 ½[1]
Referee(s)	Tom Harrington, Ed Hightower, & Jim Stupin[2][3]
Attendance	64,151[3]
United States TV coverage
Network	CBS
Announcers	Jim Nantz and Billy Packer

The Tar Heels won their third NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship, after having been victorious in 1957 and 1982 beforehand. Donald Williams was named the NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player for his efforts throughout the tournament.

Background

Michigan Wolverines

• West
  • Michigan (1) 84, Coastal Carolina (16) 53
  • Michigan 86, UCLA (9) 84 (OT)
  • Michigan 72, George Washington (12) 64
  • Michigan 77, Temple (7) 62
• Final Four
  • Michigan 81, Kentucky (1) 78 (OT)

North Carolina Tar Heels

• East
  • North Carolina (1) 85, East Carolina (16) 65
  • North Carolina 112, Rhode Island (8) 67
  • North Carolina 80, Arkansas (4) 74
  • North Carolina 75, Cincinnati (2) 68 (OT)
• Final Four
  • North Carolina 78, Kansas (2) 68

Team rosters

1992-93 Michigan Wolverines roster

No.	Name	Position	Height	Weight	Class
3	Rob Pelinka	G	6-6	200	Sr.
4	Chris Webber	F	6-9	245	So.
5	Jalen Rose	G	6-8	208	So.
11	Dugan Fife	G	6-2	170	Fr.
14	Michael Talley	G	6-1	197	Sr.
21	Ray Jackson	F	6-6	219	So.
22	Jason Bossard	G	6-4	204	Jr.
23	Sean Dobbins	G	6-1	178	So.
24	Jimmy King	G	6-5	201	So.
25	Juwan Howard	F/C	6-9	240	So.
32	James Voskuil	F	6-8	204	Sr.
41	Leon Derricks	C	6-9	190	Fr.
42	Eric Riley	C	7-0	245	Sr.
Reference:[10][11]

1992-93 North Carolina Tar Heels roster

No.	Name	Position	Height	Weight	Class
00	Eric Montross	C	7-0	270	Jr.
3	Pat Sullivan	F	6-8	216	Jr.
4	Larry Davis	G	6-3	184	Fr.
5	Henrik Rödl	F	6-8	203	Sr.
11	Scott Cherry	G/F	6-5	180	Sr.
14	Derrick Phelps	G	6-3	181	Jr.
21	Donald Williams	G	6-3	194	So.
24	Dante Calabria	G	6-4	186	Fr.
31	Brian Reese	F	6-6	215	Jr.
33	Kevin Salvadori	F/C	7-0	224	Jr.
34	George Lynch	F	6-8	220	Sr.
35	Travis Stephenson	F	6-7	220	Sr.
40	Ed Geth	F	6-9	250	Sr.
45	Serge Zwikker	C	7-1	245	Fr.
55	Matt Wenstrom	C	7-1	260	Sr.
Reference:[12][13][14]

Media coverage

Michigan and North Carolina were portrayed as different playing styles, with Michigan having an "NBA–style" roster and Carolina having "the model college system."[15] Kansas center Eric Pauley, who played both teams, stated that Michigan was "really athletic," while North Carolina is "fundamentally sound."[15] In addition, Michigan was known for allowing freshman to get significant playing time, while also allowing their players to be more "flamoboyant" and expressive.[16][17] With respect to the sophomores on the Michigan roster, coach Smith said he was "amazed at what they had done" and mentioned how they had been to two Final Fours in as many years, further stating "that's a lifetime."[17] The Tar Heels, on the other hand, were known for being a program where upperclassmen get more of the publicity and playing time.[16] Montross commented on North Carolina's perception and related it to how Dean Smith "won't settle for anything but the image he has," while referencing their clean shaven appearance, proper dress attire when traveling and going to dinners, and their "[doing] everything just right.[17]

Dean Smith, who had only one national championship to his credit from 1982, was viewed to have needed the game for his legacy as it would "shut up" critics.[16] In addition, it would bring the Tar Heels to the forefront after Duke having won the previous two national championships.[16] Meanwhile, Steve Fisher, was thought to have needed to win the title in order to vindicate to critics that he "can coach."[16] He had previously won a national title in 1989 when he gained control of Michigan's team before the start of the NCAA Tournament.[17] In advance of the game Smith spoke of Wolverines saying "They're quick, and Coach Fisher has done a great job getting the ball inside. They know how to pass and catch it."[16]

As the two teams met in December in the Rainbow Classic, most media commented on the game and influenced their expectations. It was noted that the game would be different as Michigan's Jackson would be expected to play more than the minute he did in December before he left the game with a dislocated shoulder.[16] Coach Smith felt Michigan relied on Jackson defensively and noted that he has been doing well on offense as of late.[16] Mark Rosner of Austin American–Statesman wrote that North Carolina was performing much better on offense than they were in that December matchup.[16]

Writers noted that Howard, Eric Reilly, and Webber would likely rotate on the seven–footer Montross, but Webber has the "brawn" to go against Montross.[17] In regards to facing off and defending Montross, Webber stated "I'm not afraid of anyone."[16] Montross spoke of Webber and his matchup saying that "Blocking shots is going to happen. He's got me. I got him."[17] Rose was thought to have a great performance as he would need to minimize his turnovers.[17]

Box score

Source:[3]

April 5, 1993 9:22 pm EST[18]

Michigan Wolverines 71, North Carolina Tar Heels 77
Scoring by half: 42-36, 35-35
Pts: Chris Webber 23 Rebs: Chris Webber 11 Asts: Jimmy King & Jalen Rose 4		Pts: Donald Williams 25 Rebs: George Lynch 10 Asts: Derrick Phelps 6

Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana Attendance: 64,151 Referees: Tom Harrington, Ed Hightower, & Jim Stupin

Legend
Pos	Position	FGM	Field goals made	FGA	Field goals attempted	FTM	Free throws made	FTA	Free throws attempted	Reb	Rebounds
Ast	Assists	Blk	Blocks	Stl	Steals	PF	Personal fouls	Pts	Points

Michigan Wolverines

Player	Pos	FGM	FGA	3PtM	3PtA	FTM	FTA	Reb	Ast	Blk	Stl	PF	Pts
Juwan Howard	F/C	3	8	0	0	1	1	7	3	0	0	3	7
Ray Jackson	F	2	3	0	0	2	2	1	1	1	1	5	6
Jimmy King	G	6	13	1	5	2	2	6	4	0	1	2	15
Rob Pelinka	G	2	4	2	3	0	0	2	1	0	0	1	6
Eric Riley	C	1	3	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	1	1	2
Jalen Rose	G	5	12	2	6	0	0	1	4	0	0	3	12
Michael Talley	G	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0
James Voskuil	F	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Chris Webber	F	11	18	0	1	1	2	11	1	3	1	2	23
Team totals		30	62	5	15	6	7	33	17	4	4	18	71
Reference:[3][19]

North Carolina Tar Heels

Player	Pos	FGM	FGA	3PtM	3PtA	FTM	FTA	Reb	Ast	Blk	Stl	PF	Pts
George Lynch	F	6	12	0	0	0	0	10	1	2	1	3	12
Eric Montross	C	5	11	0	0	6	9	5	0	1	0	2	16
Derrick Phelps	G	4	6	0	1	1	2	3	6	0	3	0	9
Brian Reese	F	2	7	0	1	4	4	5	3	0	0	1	8
Henrik Rödl	F	1	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2
Kevin Salvadori	F/C	0	0	0	0	2	2	4	1	1	0	1	2
Pat Sullivan	F	1	2	0	0	1	2	1	1	0	0	1	3
Matt Wenstrom	C	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Donald Williams	G	8	12	5	7	4	4	1	1	0	1	1	25
Team totals		27	55	5	11	18	23	29	13	4	7	10	77
Reference:[3][19]

North Carolina led 72-67 with a minute left. After Ray Jackson hit a jumper with 46 seconds left to make it a three-point game, the Wolverines called their final timeout. On the Tar Heels' inbounds pass, Brian Reese stepped out of bounds, turning the ball over to Michigan. Jalen Rose missed a three-pointer that would have tied the game, but Chris Webber got the rebound and scored with 36 seconds remaining, bringing the Wolverines within one. Pat Sullivan was fouled with 20 seconds left. He made the front end of a one-and-one and was given a second free throw, which he missed. Webber rebounded for the Wolverines, who were down by two points and out of timeouts. Webber traveled, but none of the officials saw it. He then made a more costly mistake--with 11 seconds left, he called a timeout, even though Michigan had no timeouts left, meaning that North Carolina would have two free throws and then possession of the ball. Donald Williams made both free throws, giving North Carolina a 75-71 lead. With 8 seconds left, Williams was fouled, and hit both free throws for the final points of the game. Rose then missed a three-pointer, which would not have mattered--even if he had made it, the clock would have run out. North Carolina won by the final score of 77-71.

References

Footnotes

1. In the wake of the basketball scandal that was resolved in 2002, Michigan self-imposed a punishment that included vacating their wins from the 1992-93 season. This altered their overall record from 31-4 to 0-4.

Citations

1. "North Carolina vs. Michigan". Ocala Star-Banner. April 5, 1993. p. 27. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
2. "The Final Four" (pdf). 2014 NCAA Men's Final Four Records. NCAA. 2014. p. 20. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
3. "2007–08 Men's Basketball Yearbook" (PDF). University of North Carolina. p. 111. Archived from the original (pdf) on 2014-11-27. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
4. "Michigan-North Carolina Preview". The Milwaukee Journal. April 5, 1993. p. C5. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
5. "Michigan, Carolina set to decide national title". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. April 5, 1993. p. 2A. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
6. Ron Cook (April 5, 1993). "Smith has a system: Get the best players". Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. p. C-1. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
7. Ron Cook and Gerry Dulac (April 5, 1993). "North Carolina's main aim is to be No. 1 — in North Carolina". Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. p. C-5. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
8. Ron Cook (April 5, 1993). "All aboard for battle in bounds". Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. p. C-5. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
9. Gerry Dulac (April 5, 1993). "Michigan driven by loss to Duke". Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. p. C-1, C-5. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
10. "1992-93 Michigan Wolverines Roster and Stats". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
11. Cindy M. Van Matre; Eric Barnhardt; John R. Rutledge, eds. (1993), "1993 Final Four Rosters", 1993 Division I Men's Basketball Championship, Lexington, Kentucky: Host Communications Publishing, p. 103
12. "1992-93 North Carolina Tar Heels Roster and Stats". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
13. Dave Lohse, ed. (1992), "Preview", Carolina Basketball 1992-93, Cincinnati, Ohio: Johnson and Hardin Printing Company, p. 24
14. Cindy M. Van Matre; Eric Barnhardt; John R. Rutledge, eds. (1993), "1993 Final Four Rosters", 1993 Division I Men's Basketball Championship, Lexington, Kentucky: Host Communications Publishing, p. 106
15. Mark Rosner (April 5, 1993). "Contrasts are clear in title game". Austin American–Statesman. p. C1. Retrieved November 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
16. Mark Rosner (April 5, 1993). "NCAA title game attracts opposites". Austin American–Statesman. p. C2. Retrieved November 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
17. Steve Wilstein (April 5, 1993). "Michigan, North Carolina in NCAA Championship". The Clarksdale Press Register. Associated Press. p. 6. Retrieved November 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
18. Malcolm Moran (April 5, 1993). "N.C.A.A. FINAL; Stage Is Set: Control vs. Cockiness". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
19. "The Final Four" (PDF). 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Records. NCAA. 2018. p. 297. Archived from the original (pdf) on February 20, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2017.