ACC: How Will North Carolina React To Scandal?

The North Carolina Tar Heels have long been one of the flagship programs in the ACC. They have won five national championships dating back to the 1950s and have produced 81 NBA players over the years, including the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan.

It was not just success on the basketball court that made North Carolina so well respected. It was perceived to have done everything “the right way.” It was the model of an institution that could place a high importance on academics while still bringing in elite athletes that won championships.

Legendary coach Dean Smith took pride in his players graduating and the spotless reputation of his program. He even penned a book entitled “The Carolina Way.” The Carolina Way became a statement of pride for fans and alumni and something that would make rivals roll their eyes in disgust.

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The Carolina Way meant doing things ethically while still winning. Placing integrity over everything.

As it turns out, The Carolina Way was a lie. A façade that covered up years of academic fraud and dishonesty. The Wainstein report was released this week bringing this scandal to the attention of the college basketball world.

The report was the result of an independent investigation regarding the allegations that student athletes had been taking fake or “paper” classes in the African American Studies department to stay eligible for nearly two decades.

The Wainstein report found that more than 3,100 students had taken these so-called “GPA boosters,” including players from the football program and the men’s and women’s basketball program.

From 1993-2009, the North Carolina’s men’s basketball program had several players a year in those close classes, presumably to help them stay eligible.

Whether or not the coaches knew about these practices is up for debate. Smith, and his successor Bill Guthridge, are both in poor health, so they were unable to be interviewed during the investigation. Former coach Matt Doherty claimed to have known vaguely about the setup (or at least how easy the classes seemed to be), while Roy Williams said he was “dumbfounded” by the report.

Regardless, this is a sad revelation for North Carolina fans, alumni, and the ACC as a whole. Whether or not you are a fan of the Tar Heels they were a source of pride for the conference. During the time period this scandal occurred, the team brought home three national championships, and sent several big-name players to the NBA.

This report casts a dark shadow over those years of success, and taints the memory of these championships. That has to be painful for the players that won those games, as well as the fans who lived and died with every play. An era that brought joy to so many people will now be remembered only negatively.

That era is over. The lies and cheating ended around 2009, and all signs indicate UNC has been clean the last few seasons. How will this year’s team deal with constant attention because of this scandal? These kids had nothing to do with the past, but it will still haunt them for the rest of this season. Where do they go from here?

This is a squad capable of winning an ACC championship as well as an NCAA championship. Star point guard Marcus Paige returns along with wing J.P. Tokoto, big men Brice Johnson, and Kennedy Meeks. Add in a group of elite freshmen such as Joel Berry, Justin Jackson, and Theo Pinson and you can see that this team is loaded with talent.

Paige’s scoring from the perimeter and Johnson’s rim protection down low will anchor the team’s identity. Tokoto’s highflying fast-break dunks and lockdown perimeter defense will also be on full display in the Smith Center once again. Meeks showed promise during his freshmen year, and should get even better as he has reshaped his body this offseason. The weight loss should add quickness to his already smooth post game.

Theo Pinson and Justin Jackson are wing players that each provide their own unique skillset. Pinson has been praised for his defense, while Jackson has been described as a scorer.

I’ve heard his game compared favorably to former NC State star T.J. Warren in that he can score in a variety of ways, and quickly put up a high number of points. Unlike Warren, he has a very good 3-point shot, which adds to his versatility.

Joel Berry is a point guard that will compete for minutes in the backcourt with Nate Britt.

The aforementioned freshmen, along with lesser-known returners like the point guard Britt, and post players Jackson Simmons, Joel James, Isaiah Hicks and Desmond Hubert give the Tar Heels some serious depth. This is a team that could potentially go twelve deep. The fight for playing time will be competitive.

Williams will have to sort out his rotation, and develop the freshmen, but a successful season with this team could be the first step to healing for the Tar Heel community. If they can push past the scandal and win big this season all will not be forgotten, but it will finally be time to move forward.

The questions surrounding this subject will continue all season. An NCAA investigation will ensue. Victories may be vacated, and in an absolute worst-case scenario banners may come down. It will be important for these players to focus on their immediate goals, and to let the past be the past.

It will be essential to tune out the noise, and attempt to move forward while bringing pride back to this storied basketball program. Is that even possible? Their fan base needs something positive to hold onto after hearing about this academic scandal nonstop.

A new basketball season with a team that did not participate in these sham classes could act as a distraction from the past and as something that will provide fans with hope. The start of something that will actually practice the ideals of integrity that it preaches. The Tar Heels begin their regular season Nov. 14 against North Carolina Central.

Then we will see what the new Carolina Way is all about.

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