Dean and K: Legendary Parallels (Part 2)
Posted Dec 10, 2008
Dean Smith replaced Frank McGuire after UNC’s 19-4 ACC regular-season championship in 1961. The ‘61 Tar Heels were on a one-year NCAA probation and, because of that, elected not to participate in the ACC Tournament. But McGuire’s last UNC team did finish No. 5 in the nation. Smith was left with standout guard Larry Brown, forward Jim Hudock, and senior guard Don Walsh. He also inherited freshman Billy Cunningham, McGuire’s last great New York recruit.
(ACC Sports Journal)
Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting
North Carolina Basketball’s Ten Best Wins vs. DukeNo. 1. 2022 Final Four (81-77) – This Final Four contest trumps all other games in the rivalry and is easily No. 1. For decades,...
Fri Feb 6, 2026Seth Trimble Leaning On Experience In His Final Home Game Against Duke
Seth Trimble is among the last of a dying breed in college basketball. Saturday night will be the Tar Heel senior captain’s fourth and final...
Fri Feb 6, 2026
Video: The Story Behind Caleb Wilson and the Boozers
An interesting storylines entering the UNC vs. Duke basketball game Saturday is the relationship between Tar Heel star freshman Caleb Wilson and Blue Devils star...
Fri Feb 6, 2026
Three things to watch as UNC Basketball hosts Duke
Saturday marks the actual start of the college basketball season for a lot of people. It is, of course, Carolina vs Duke Round 1. It’s...
Fri Feb 6, 2026