UNC Basketball History
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donbosco
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On This Day in 2021: "Roy Williams says UNC's Armando Bacot and Day’Ron Sharpe, who were seen partying without masks last week, won't miss Saturday's game vs. UVa. 'I'M STILL UPSET ABOUT IT. BUT LET'S NOT MAKE IT OUT LIKE WE CHARGED THE CAPITOL BUILDING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.'"
https://dailyprogress.com/sports/ro...noYMm0oZHQgmP4JuuL_aem_cHJO_-M66EDyUMIO9kQhEQ
https://dailyprogress.com/sports/ro...noYMm0oZHQgmP4JuuL_aem_cHJO_-M66EDyUMIO9kQhEQ
Mostly agree. The NCAA Tourney wasn’t at all capricious for ACC teams. Win the ACC Tourney and you’re in. Beginning in 1975, win the Tourney and you’re in and a 2nd team made the tourney (Maryland). The ‘75 NCAA Tournament had 32 teams and no seeding. In ‘75, the NCAA Tourney was limited to a max of two teams from any conference.
Doubt it was capricious for Big 10 or SEC PAC-8 or Southwestern Conference schools - win the regular season and you’re in (Prior to 1975).
donbosco
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David Moon is a friend of many friends of mine though I do not know him. He wrote this on social media.
David Moon
"GRA AND CALEB
Look, I’m one of those old man Carolina basketball fans who remembers Doug Moe and Larry Brown. And even a 6’4” kid from Scotland Neck, NC. Number 42! In the 1967 class. Gra Whitehead! Gra never really played that much, but the kid held a rather prominent place on the team program that I placed on a music stand in my Jacksonville, Florida bedroom when I was a thirteen year old Tar Heel and a junior high trumpet player. I don’t quite know why, but I think I will always remember Gra Whitehead.
Of course, all the star players’ pictures surrounded those of Gra. But, dang. Gra was a part of a pretty damned good team too!
In other words, I’ve been around the block a few times. I’ve seen many big wins, major losses, but just a few great coaches. The good ones seem to stick around. Just like a Gra Whitehead memory. Dean, Gut, Roy and Hubert.
For over a half a century, I have found solace in just being an obscure and imaginative member of over 50 Carolina basketball teams.
Years ago, when 6’3” Kevin Joyce of South Carolina, out jumped Carolina’s 6’10” Lee Dedmon to seal the 1971 ACC Tournament Championship for the Gamecocks, I was in my backyard, shooting hoops and listening to the game on the radio. My dad came outside to check on me only after he heard the crash of the brick that I threw into and beyond the garage door after the devastating loss. He asked what was going on. I told him. He didn’t scold me. He simply nodded his head, put his soggy and unlit cigar back into the side of his lips, turned and walked back inside.
I don’t know about y’all, but dang. I have always admired my dad’s nonchalant demeanor in that situation. I took the game so seriously that I threw a brick through my family’s garage door! When he put the cigar back into the side of his mouth, man. He spoke volumes with that cigar placement.
Basketball is just a game. But that brick said something, too.
Look, I’m trying my best to relate my old man past to what Caleb Wilson must be going through right now. Sure, the kid doesn’t have the Carolina past that I do, but dang. From what I am reading, the kid is a Tar Heel through and through.
The kid is a Carolina basketball player. And a true Tar Heel. Just like Gra Whitehead. Honestly, when I heard about his hand injury, I looked frantically for a brick to throw! Then I remembered my dad. It’s just a game for us. It’s a career for a young kid who chose Chapel Hill to play for a year or two.
Hey, Carolina will survive all the turmoil. I’ve witnessed over 50 years of such stuff. What’s really important right now is that Caleb Wilson continues to hold his head up high, and keep making the absolute best of what God’s planned for him. Even if it means throwing a brick or two.
Get well, Caleb!"
It is an interesting rememberance. I have read the name Gra Whitehead in old rosters...he was a 6-5 high school star from Scotland Neck and never really played any real minutes at Carolina. He appears to still be alive but not very well.
David Moon
"GRA AND CALEB
Look, I’m one of those old man Carolina basketball fans who remembers Doug Moe and Larry Brown. And even a 6’4” kid from Scotland Neck, NC. Number 42! In the 1967 class. Gra Whitehead! Gra never really played that much, but the kid held a rather prominent place on the team program that I placed on a music stand in my Jacksonville, Florida bedroom when I was a thirteen year old Tar Heel and a junior high trumpet player. I don’t quite know why, but I think I will always remember Gra Whitehead.
Of course, all the star players’ pictures surrounded those of Gra. But, dang. Gra was a part of a pretty damned good team too!
In other words, I’ve been around the block a few times. I’ve seen many big wins, major losses, but just a few great coaches. The good ones seem to stick around. Just like a Gra Whitehead memory. Dean, Gut, Roy and Hubert.
For over a half a century, I have found solace in just being an obscure and imaginative member of over 50 Carolina basketball teams.
Years ago, when 6’3” Kevin Joyce of South Carolina, out jumped Carolina’s 6’10” Lee Dedmon to seal the 1971 ACC Tournament Championship for the Gamecocks, I was in my backyard, shooting hoops and listening to the game on the radio. My dad came outside to check on me only after he heard the crash of the brick that I threw into and beyond the garage door after the devastating loss. He asked what was going on. I told him. He didn’t scold me. He simply nodded his head, put his soggy and unlit cigar back into the side of his lips, turned and walked back inside.
I don’t know about y’all, but dang. I have always admired my dad’s nonchalant demeanor in that situation. I took the game so seriously that I threw a brick through my family’s garage door! When he put the cigar back into the side of his mouth, man. He spoke volumes with that cigar placement.
Basketball is just a game. But that brick said something, too.
Look, I’m trying my best to relate my old man past to what Caleb Wilson must be going through right now. Sure, the kid doesn’t have the Carolina past that I do, but dang. From what I am reading, the kid is a Tar Heel through and through.
The kid is a Carolina basketball player. And a true Tar Heel. Just like Gra Whitehead. Honestly, when I heard about his hand injury, I looked frantically for a brick to throw! Then I remembered my dad. It’s just a game for us. It’s a career for a young kid who chose Chapel Hill to play for a year or two.
Hey, Carolina will survive all the turmoil. I’ve witnessed over 50 years of such stuff. What’s really important right now is that Caleb Wilson continues to hold his head up high, and keep making the absolute best of what God’s planned for him. Even if it means throwing a brick or two.
Get well, Caleb!"
It is an interesting rememberance. I have read the name Gra Whitehead in old rosters...he was a 6-5 high school star from Scotland Neck and never really played any real minutes at Carolina. He appears to still be alive but not very well.
donbosco
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Greensboro News and Record from March 14, 1967 reporting on the freshman teams around the state. That's Gra Whitehead -- this was his big year actually, averaging 14 ppg and playing forward and center. Charlie Scott was the star of that team and his entrance into the varsity was much anticipated. Future Davidson star Mike Maloy is mentioned here as well. Had Lefty Driesell gotten Scott to join Maloy they would have been a true powerhouse.
donbosco
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A few days late on this but going into a game against state college it seems at least mildly appropriate...
Since February 5, 1992 and the Bloody Montross Game, a 75-73 home Carolina Victory over a Laettner/Hurley #1 ranked and undefeated dook team - many in The Tar Heel Nation have been on the look-out for blood. Indeed, metaphors abound as do real world examples for how we, and our hero-warriors in sky blue, spill our ALL over the Truly Beautiful Game as played in the Spirit of The GOAT, Coach Smith. This bundle of thoughts here, by the way, shall necessarily be partisan.
The Bloody Montross game saw a first half in which Big Grits, then but an unwieldy sophomore giant yet to earn that moniker, bleed from the back of his crew-cut head - and be knitted back together with 6 stitches, only to return to bleed yet again from a face slash just beneath his left eye. He also scored 12 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked 4 shots and greatly frustrated that boil of a blue devil, Laettner, and his twinish tower, the spongy Cherokee Parks. The win was sublime and over one of the most chock-full of hateables squads to ever come out of Buck Duke’s Fake Gothic Misplaced Preppie Colony.
And since that halcyon day there has been a blood watch. In the 30+ years since it has been unscientifically noted that if a Tar Heel bleeds then the chances of winning are greatly enhanced. With the Bloody Montross game always close to heart and mind the years passed and the battles were won and lost until a decade later when the Foreigners ventured the 8 miles to The Southern Part of Heaven, they - ranked #10 in the nation - to take on a struggling 15-14 Heel team in the final regular season match. The year before had been the 8-20 debacle. Freshmen and Sophomores - names then new to us but today much remembered - May, Felton, McCants, Sanders, Noel, Manuel, Scott, and Jawad Williams made up the heart of that mercurial team. The game was fraught and violence stalked the sidelines. Raymond Felton shed his blood that day and the underdog Heels prevailed 82-79.
In the years since, a litany of our faithful have opened their veins for Carolina. Of course no one should ever forget the shameful hit on Hansbrough ordered by Coach Rat in the waning minutes of an 86-72 Tar Heel rout (and sweep) of dook on March 3, 2007 that resulted in bright, bright red on a home white jersey #50 - a move that, for many, pushed the long-held rivalry into a surreal place beyond sports. And there it has stayed.
Among those who have shed their red for Carolina are Luke Maye, Cole Anthony, Garrison Brooks, Marcus Paige, J.P. Tokoto, and Justin Jackson (twice!). Most recently a blow to the face against dook left Armando Bacot with a mouthful of blood. Of course, R.J. Davis also received a nice bloody shiner in that same win over dook. And all that scarlet spilled always accompanied a win. The sweat of George Lynch is nigh sacred and a mark of defensive distinction almost always tied to successful outcomes - and as Tar Heels educated in The Carolina Way we appreciate that sacrifice, encourage it, and applaud it. Blood too has been a mark of distinction - and will likely continue to be - of the all-out team play - from each according to the need of the team - that is family.
Since February 5, 1992 and the Bloody Montross Game, a 75-73 home Carolina Victory over a Laettner/Hurley #1 ranked and undefeated dook team - many in The Tar Heel Nation have been on the look-out for blood. Indeed, metaphors abound as do real world examples for how we, and our hero-warriors in sky blue, spill our ALL over the Truly Beautiful Game as played in the Spirit of The GOAT, Coach Smith. This bundle of thoughts here, by the way, shall necessarily be partisan.
The Bloody Montross game saw a first half in which Big Grits, then but an unwieldy sophomore giant yet to earn that moniker, bleed from the back of his crew-cut head - and be knitted back together with 6 stitches, only to return to bleed yet again from a face slash just beneath his left eye. He also scored 12 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked 4 shots and greatly frustrated that boil of a blue devil, Laettner, and his twinish tower, the spongy Cherokee Parks. The win was sublime and over one of the most chock-full of hateables squads to ever come out of Buck Duke’s Fake Gothic Misplaced Preppie Colony.
And since that halcyon day there has been a blood watch. In the 30+ years since it has been unscientifically noted that if a Tar Heel bleeds then the chances of winning are greatly enhanced. With the Bloody Montross game always close to heart and mind the years passed and the battles were won and lost until a decade later when the Foreigners ventured the 8 miles to The Southern Part of Heaven, they - ranked #10 in the nation - to take on a struggling 15-14 Heel team in the final regular season match. The year before had been the 8-20 debacle. Freshmen and Sophomores - names then new to us but today much remembered - May, Felton, McCants, Sanders, Noel, Manuel, Scott, and Jawad Williams made up the heart of that mercurial team. The game was fraught and violence stalked the sidelines. Raymond Felton shed his blood that day and the underdog Heels prevailed 82-79.
In the years since, a litany of our faithful have opened their veins for Carolina. Of course no one should ever forget the shameful hit on Hansbrough ordered by Coach Rat in the waning minutes of an 86-72 Tar Heel rout (and sweep) of dook on March 3, 2007 that resulted in bright, bright red on a home white jersey #50 - a move that, for many, pushed the long-held rivalry into a surreal place beyond sports. And there it has stayed.
Among those who have shed their red for Carolina are Luke Maye, Cole Anthony, Garrison Brooks, Marcus Paige, J.P. Tokoto, and Justin Jackson (twice!). Most recently a blow to the face against dook left Armando Bacot with a mouthful of blood. Of course, R.J. Davis also received a nice bloody shiner in that same win over dook. And all that scarlet spilled always accompanied a win. The sweat of George Lynch is nigh sacred and a mark of defensive distinction almost always tied to successful outcomes - and as Tar Heels educated in The Carolina Way we appreciate that sacrifice, encourage it, and applaud it. Blood too has been a mark of distinction - and will likely continue to be - of the all-out team play - from each according to the need of the team - that is family.
GoHeelsweeeehoooo
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Is this the appropriate thread to discuss the future of the Dean Dome? - couple articles out today with what's going on in the decision making - looks like there's 3 options - maintain the Dean Dome without making any improvements and that will cost like $150 million - completely renovate the Dean Dome which will cost around $600 million and also probably involve the team having to play in Greensboro for a few years or build a completely new arena most likely at Carolina North for around $800 million
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If the team is forced to play in Greensboro for a few years, I think that will truly usher in the downfall of UNC basketball.
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Back in the day we usually played 1 game a year there
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Of those 3 options I would choose #2 but have the team play in Carmichael during the renovation. Build skybox luxury suites in the rafters to cater to the seen and be seen and put more students on the lower level who will not arrive late and leave early.
Sure and as donbosco mentioned played 2 in the Big Four. And back in the day 2 in Charlotte in the North-South DH. But never a whole home season.
And if I'm not wrong, one of the reasons for playing in Greensboro and Charlotte was because of the capacity of Carmichael and to allow fans in the other two large regions of the state a chance to see a game in person.
GoHeelsweeeehoooo
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Option 1 is definitely a nonstarter - it's probably not a popular position but I think option 3 is the way to go
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Well if its option #3 then they have a chance to correct the mistake they made with the seating in the Dean Dome...but I wouldn't hold my breath
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I can’t say there has been any point this season where I thought we would have a real chance of winning the national championship. Even before Wilson and Veesaar went out with injuries. I can’t say that happens a lot where I feel that way. There are some seasons where I feel like we are the best team and would beat any opponent as long as we don’t have an uncharacteristically bad game. There are other seasons where I know there are several better teams, but if dominoes fall the right way in the NCAAT, we have a real shot of winning it all. But then there are those seasons where I just can’t see us winning 6 games in a row.
I’m curious what years others here felt we did not have a realistic shot of winning it all once we got deep into the regular season. For me, the first season I really paid attention to was 1986. These are the seasons I felt we did not have a realistic shot since that season:
1990
1992
1996
1999
2000
2002
2003
2004
2010
2013
2014
2015
2018
2020
2021
2022
2023
2025
2026
Out of those years, there are two where we vastly exceeded expectations in the NCAAT (2000, 2022). Once we got as far as we did, obviously my thoughts changed and I felt we did have a shot.
I’m curious what years others here felt we did not have a realistic shot of winning it all once we got deep into the regular season. For me, the first season I really paid attention to was 1986. These are the seasons I felt we did not have a realistic shot since that season:
1990
1992
1996
1999
2000
2002
2003
2004
2010
2013
2014
2015
2018
2020
2021
2022
2023
2025
2026
Out of those years, there are two where we vastly exceeded expectations in the NCAAT (2000, 2022). Once we got as far as we did, obviously my thoughts changed and I felt we did have a shot.
donbosco
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Missed it by a day...On February 21, 2015...
CHAPEL HILL -- Amid all the tributes to Dean Smith since the coaching legend's death, North Carolina coach Roy Williams and his No. 15 Tar Heels saved possibly the most fitting one for Saturday.
With Williams and players on the bench holding up four fingers, his team ran the "Four Corners" offense Smith made famous while coaching here and scored on their first possession — a sign of how smoothly things would run in an 89-60 rout of Georgia Tech.
"I think he knows that I honor him," said Williams, a former Smith assistant. "And knows that for 64 years I've tried to make him proud. That was just a way of Roy Williams saying, 'Thank you.'"
Smith was known for using the Four Corners to spread the floor and work the clock, which ultimately helped lead to the implementation of a shot clock in college basketball. The retired Hall of Famer died two weeks ago, but this was UNC's first home game since his death. There was a pregame moment of silence for Smith and the school has scheduled a public memorial here Sunday.
Williams said the team walked through the play Friday, but only after making sure no one was around to see it.
"I wanted it to be something very sincere from our team ... to Coach Dean Smith," Williams said. "So we didn't want anybody sending out a daggum Twitter or fax or whatever the dickens we go on today. I wanted it to be something from my team to Coach Smith and that worked out great."
The play ended with Marcus Paige finding a cutting Brice Johnson for a layup.
"That was one of the most nerve-racking moments of my life just because I feel like if I would've turned it over, if I would've messed it up or something that I was letting down the way we were going to pay homage to Coach Smith," Paige said. "I'm just glad Brice caught it and laid it up. He made me look good."
The Tar Heels (19-8, 9-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) had lost four of five, including Wednesday's potentially crushing failure to close out No. 4 Duke in an overtime road loss. But they shot a season-high 62 percent with six players in double figures.
Marcus Georges-Hunt scored 15 to lead the Yellow Jackets (12-15, 3-12), who had made a habit of playing close in league losses but couldn't keep up Saturday.
"We got beat by a superior team today, there's no question about it, that played at a really high level," Georgia Tech coach Brian Gregory said. "And I'm OK with that, as long as you compete. And we had some guys that did and unfortunately we didn't have everybody. And we need everybody."
goheels.com
CHAPEL HILL -- Amid all the tributes to Dean Smith since the coaching legend's death, North Carolina coach Roy Williams and his No. 15 Tar Heels saved possibly the most fitting one for Saturday.
With Williams and players on the bench holding up four fingers, his team ran the "Four Corners" offense Smith made famous while coaching here and scored on their first possession — a sign of how smoothly things would run in an 89-60 rout of Georgia Tech.
"I think he knows that I honor him," said Williams, a former Smith assistant. "And knows that for 64 years I've tried to make him proud. That was just a way of Roy Williams saying, 'Thank you.'"
Smith was known for using the Four Corners to spread the floor and work the clock, which ultimately helped lead to the implementation of a shot clock in college basketball. The retired Hall of Famer died two weeks ago, but this was UNC's first home game since his death. There was a pregame moment of silence for Smith and the school has scheduled a public memorial here Sunday.
Williams said the team walked through the play Friday, but only after making sure no one was around to see it.
"I wanted it to be something very sincere from our team ... to Coach Dean Smith," Williams said. "So we didn't want anybody sending out a daggum Twitter or fax or whatever the dickens we go on today. I wanted it to be something from my team to Coach Smith and that worked out great."
The play ended with Marcus Paige finding a cutting Brice Johnson for a layup.
"That was one of the most nerve-racking moments of my life just because I feel like if I would've turned it over, if I would've messed it up or something that I was letting down the way we were going to pay homage to Coach Smith," Paige said. "I'm just glad Brice caught it and laid it up. He made me look good."
The Tar Heels (19-8, 9-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) had lost four of five, including Wednesday's potentially crushing failure to close out No. 4 Duke in an overtime road loss. But they shot a season-high 62 percent with six players in double figures.
Marcus Georges-Hunt scored 15 to lead the Yellow Jackets (12-15, 3-12), who had made a habit of playing close in league losses but couldn't keep up Saturday.
"We got beat by a superior team today, there's no question about it, that played at a really high level," Georgia Tech coach Brian Gregory said. "And I'm OK with that, as long as you compete. And we had some guys that did and unfortunately we didn't have everybody. And we need everybody."
Tar Heels Beat Georgia Tech, 89-60 - University of North Carolina Athletics
Marcus Paige posted a double-double to lead UNC past Georgia Tech 89-60 Saturday afternoon.
donbosco
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Remembering Coach Smith and his Memorial Service 11 years ago today (Feb. 23, 2015). I took this photo outside of Sutton's Drugstore that day.
"A public memorial service was held for legendary North Carolina Tar Heels basketball coach Dean Smith on Sunday at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill. Smith coached UNC for 36 years, compiled 879 career victories and guided the powerhouse program to two national championships. He passed away on February 7 at the age of 83."
donbosco
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Here’s a little bit of college basketball history penned in 2022.
Ian Morriso transferred from Dean Smith’s UNC Tar Heel’s in June, 1965. In 1963 Morrison was a Parade High School All-American with Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) along with future fellow Tar Heel Great, Bobby Lewis. Morrison averaged 20 ppg on the Carolina freshman team & was a part-time starter as a sophomore on the varsity. He scored 20 versus NYU & 24 against Indiana that year & had a bright future at UNC. Over the year his GPA was 3.5 in the classroom & on the court he averaged 6 points per game. Morrison was a scorer but Coach Smith commented publicly about his growing defensive prowess during 1964-65 as the Tar Heels, led by NCAA All American Billy Cunningham, experienced a fairly successful 15-9 season (2nd place in the ACC with a 10-4 mark).
During the summer of 1965 Morrison’s father announced that his son was leaving Carolina to play closer to home. He eventually chose Florida State where he roomed with All American Dave Cowans, scoring at an 11 ppg clip. He left following that season & played basketball for two more seasons for a traveling Navy team. Losing Morrison was a blow to Dean Smith’s program — Morrison was a high profile recruit & had great potential. But Coach Smith never expressed any hurt feelings & later when Morrison became a successful high school coach in Tennessee, the Seminole transfer frequently worked at The Carolina Basketball School in the summers as a shooting instructor.
I don’t want to be overly moralistic nor finger-wagging but the philosophy so successfully applied to his career as a basketball coach of Dean Smith can be a pretty good measure to hold up as we work our own way through life & fandom. Ian Morrison left Carolina in search of a different set of circumstances - ones that he & his family deemed best for his own personality & goals. Others like Larry Davis, Steve Krafcisin, John Brownlee, Clifford Rozier, & Lynwood Robinson acted similarly & departed Coach Smith’s teams & UNC. Players likewise made the tough decision to leave Coach Williams’ teams on occasion.
Here’s to asking all the Tar Heel faithful to consider how Coach Smith responded with dignity & respect at a crucial moment in his young career, when a player for whom he had hopes & plans & with whom a mutual commitment had been made, chose a different path. Below is a story and interview with Morrison from 2015 in which he remembers Coach Smith & the lessons that he taught. Note there is no enmity, that none was shared nor were there sentiments of disloyalty but rather a friendship born of the original common interests that endured for decades.
Ian Morriso transferred from Dean Smith’s UNC Tar Heel’s in June, 1965. In 1963 Morrison was a Parade High School All-American with Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) along with future fellow Tar Heel Great, Bobby Lewis. Morrison averaged 20 ppg on the Carolina freshman team & was a part-time starter as a sophomore on the varsity. He scored 20 versus NYU & 24 against Indiana that year & had a bright future at UNC. Over the year his GPA was 3.5 in the classroom & on the court he averaged 6 points per game. Morrison was a scorer but Coach Smith commented publicly about his growing defensive prowess during 1964-65 as the Tar Heels, led by NCAA All American Billy Cunningham, experienced a fairly successful 15-9 season (2nd place in the ACC with a 10-4 mark).
During the summer of 1965 Morrison’s father announced that his son was leaving Carolina to play closer to home. He eventually chose Florida State where he roomed with All American Dave Cowans, scoring at an 11 ppg clip. He left following that season & played basketball for two more seasons for a traveling Navy team. Losing Morrison was a blow to Dean Smith’s program — Morrison was a high profile recruit & had great potential. But Coach Smith never expressed any hurt feelings & later when Morrison became a successful high school coach in Tennessee, the Seminole transfer frequently worked at The Carolina Basketball School in the summers as a shooting instructor.
I don’t want to be overly moralistic nor finger-wagging but the philosophy so successfully applied to his career as a basketball coach of Dean Smith can be a pretty good measure to hold up as we work our own way through life & fandom. Ian Morrison left Carolina in search of a different set of circumstances - ones that he & his family deemed best for his own personality & goals. Others like Larry Davis, Steve Krafcisin, John Brownlee, Clifford Rozier, & Lynwood Robinson acted similarly & departed Coach Smith’s teams & UNC. Players likewise made the tough decision to leave Coach Williams’ teams on occasion.
Here’s to asking all the Tar Heel faithful to consider how Coach Smith responded with dignity & respect at a crucial moment in his young career, when a player for whom he had hopes & plans & with whom a mutual commitment had been made, chose a different path. Below is a story and interview with Morrison from 2015 in which he remembers Coach Smith & the lessons that he taught. Note there is no enmity, that none was shared nor were there sentiments of disloyalty but rather a friendship born of the original common interests that endured for decades.
