2005, 2009, 2012 and 2017. To some, these numbers simply represent a year on a calendar, or a place marker in history. To a North Carolina basketball fan, though, commonalities exist among each of these years and their corresponding hoops season.
The common thread between the four seasons? Well, three of the teams won a national title, and the fourth should have. And before going any further; yes, I am going to be stuck on the 2012 season for the rest of my life. Deal with it.
These particular North Carolina teams were very successful, winning 33, 34, 32 and 33 games, respectively.