Dean Smith Among College Basketball Coaches Who Changed the Game

Posted Nov 16, 2021
Dean Smith, the head coach at North Carolina for 36 years (1961-1997), was one of basketball's more forward thinkers and statistical minds. He used advanced analytics as far back as the 1960s, when his team managers tracked points per possession. “All signs point to him being the father of basketball analytics,” said longtime NBA executive Daryl Morey. (History.com)

Related: Basketball, Tar Heels in the NBA

What Was UNC's Offensive Plan Late At Cal?
North Carolina had California quickly backing toward the ropes with seemingly nowhere to go late in Saturday's game at Haas Pavilion. Down by 20 points...
Mon Jan 19, 2026

Hubert Davis on Caleb Wilson's droughts, Seth Trimble's late shots, the press, and more
Hubert Davis on Caleb Wilson getting just four or fewer shots over the final 15 minutes in each of the last four games: "Well, those...
Mon Jan 19, 2026

Longtime Fans Reflect On 500 Smith Center Wins
Here, we reflect on four unforgettable Smith Center wins, memories shared by fans who witnessed nearly all of them; games that brought exhilaration to a...
Mon Jan 19, 2026

North Carolina's basketball season is wobbling, and the spotlight is back on Hubert Davis
The Tar Heels’ terrible defensive play isn’t going to get any better soon, especially with North Carolina yet to reach the heart of ACC play...
Mon Jan 19, 2026