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

UNC basketball one win away from Smith Center milestone
Since 1986, the Dean Smith Center has been the proud home of the North Carolina basketball program. Not only has it served as home, but...
Sun Jan 4, 2026

Hubert Davis on Loss to SMU: 'It Goes Back to Defense'
Simply put, North Carolina’s 97-83 loss to SMU on Saturday was its worst defensive performance of the season to date. It was probably also the...
Sun Jan 4, 2026

Lucas: Difficult
Honestly, the biggest surprise as Boopie Miller held the game ball is that there weren't still flames coming out of it. That's really the story...
Sun Jan 4, 2026

Point of concern: SMU exposes Tar Heels’ backcourt issues
Lacking a true point guard hasn’t been a problem for No. 12 North Carolina for most of the season, primarily thanks to one of the...
Sun Jan 4, 2026