Roy Williams, the legendary UNC basketball coach, was in attendance for the Tar Heels’ Sweet 16 upset over UCLA and had a fantastic reaction to the victory.
Roy Williams would have been on the sideline coaching the North Carolina Tar Heels to the Sweet 16 a year ago. However, after last season, the UNC basketball great stepped down and Hubert Davis took over as coach.
Davis’ squad, despite a lackluster regular-season record, upset Baylor in the first weekend of March Madness to advance to the Sweet 16 and face another blue-blood program, the UCLA Bruins.
Roy Williams was in attendance in Philadelphia for the Sweet 16 showdown, as he had been for many previous games during the year.
Perhaps it was the presence of the man whose name is engraved on the floor in Chapel Hill that spurred the Tar Heels to victory, but North Carolina put on a show against UCLA. In the end, it was a call to Franklin Street for the Tar Heels, who won 73-66 and punched their ticket to the Elite Eight on Friday night.
Roy Williams is ecstatic after UNC basketball beats UCLA and advances to the Elite Eight
While every UNC fan was ecstatic to witness the win, it was fitting that the CBS cameras got Roy Williams’ reaction in the crowd because it was spot-on for the occasion.
It’s pure joy. That is the only way to describe his appearance.
The Tar Heels showed that they belonged in the field of 68 down the stretch. However, even as early as February, there were valid concerns regarding this team’s status as a bubble team.
So it’s extra special to witness a talented group finally start to gel at the perfect time during March Madness. Even more unique is the possibility of a Final Four game with Duke, which is still on the table.
Whatever happens next, Roy Williams, like all UNC basketball fans, is just glad the Tar Heels are still dancing.
