Final Fours can cause nightmares and daydreams.

Just ask Phil Ford.

Ford has a unique perspective on these Final Four trips. After a career as one of the best players in Carolina history, Ford was also part of trips deep into the NCAA Tournament as a member of the Tar Heel coaching staff.

Ford says that the loss to Marquette in the 1977 national championship game is “the only game in my entire career that I still have nightmares about.”

Ford says one moment always sticks out to him when thinking about the ‘77 title game.

“I remember having a shot from the baseline, and it kind of rimmed out,” Ford remembers. “I think it would have put us up three or four or something, and we maybe could’ve played four corners.

“But I make it some times in my dreams. Some times I still miss it.”

Ford continues to give coach Dean Smith credit for getting the walking wounded version of the Tar Heels to that NCAA finals game.

“My elbow was hyper extended. Walter Davis’ finger was broken. Tommy LaGarde wasn’t even dressing out because he had a knee injury and had an operation,” Ford lists.

Listen to the full conversation with Phil Ford and WCHL’s Ron Stutts:

 

Ford says that the Final Four “changed completely” from his time as a player to his six trips as a member of the Carolina coaching staff

“It had turned into a big show,” Ford recalls. “It’s just unbelievable.”

Ford pointed to the fact that the ’77 Final Four was played at The Omni in Atlanta, which had a seating capacity of just over 16,000 for basketball games. For comparison’s sake, this year’s Final Four venue, NRG Stadium, is home to the National Football League’s Houston Texans and has a capacity that approaches 72,000 for football games.

Listen to an interview with longtime broadcaster Bob Holliday and WCHL’s Ron Stutts:

 

Ford did get a national championship ring as an assistant coach on the 1993 UNC squad.

“The best memory is in New Orleans in ‘93 when we beat Michigan for the title,” Ford says. “That was an extraordinary team; I’m not sure one-on-one or player-for-player we were quite as good as Michigan. But as far as a team and with Coach Smith, we were able to pull out a really close victory against a very good team.”

Ford admits that he is “a nervous wreck” when he watches the Tar Heels play now, and he credits UNC coach Roy Williams for holding this year’s edition of the Tar Heels together through some ups and downs.

Ford says after all of the adversity this year’s Carolina team has faced, the team deserves “all the best.”

“I’ll be pulling as hard for this team as I’ve ever pulled for any team, that’s for sure.”

Listen to an interview with longtime ACC basketball commentator Barry Jacobs and WCHL’s Ron Stutts:

 

UNC, the only No. 1 seed remaining in the tournament, will face No. 10 Syracuse on Saturday night. The winner will face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 2 seeds Oklahoma and Villanova for the national championship.