The Fabulous Fryers were a tragic assemblage of singers whose spirit machine inspired both staggering loss and epic victory for a pair of sports institutions in the early ’80s. Debuting in their home state of Iowa,  “Hawkeye Hut-Hut” and “Bringing Home the Roses” harkened a scoreless performance for the University at the 1981 Rose Bowl. Feeling unfulfilled, the Fryers attempted to sprinkle their Anglican juju on another promising franchise whose season was reaching a climactic end. The Fryers stripped the vocals from their nauseating suite, adapting both songs to reference the 1982 Tarheels on route to the NCAA championship title. The ensuing victory over Georgetown would be the result, somewhat poetically, of Michael Jordan’s last-minute shot and James Worthy’s last-second steal, securing a hard-fought title for coach Dean Smith, and a resounding victory for the state of North Carolina.

After tonight’s somewhat discouraging loss to Duke, it’s important to maintain a positive attitude. The disco peril of “Tarheel Stomper” is a reminder that greatness often exhibits misleading symptoms, and that even a song this bad can preempt historical success. Perhaps the Fryers could cook us up some embarrassing manner of rap rock to get the championship blood flowing once again?