Dean Smith, Rick Robey and the moment UNC and Kentucky became real rivals

Posted Dec 13, 2014
It came in the 1977 NCAA Tournament. There were 22 seconds left in the NCAA East Regional championship game when Dean Smith charged all the way down the basketball floor of the University of Maryland's Cole Field House. The North Carolina coach had watched Kentucky power forward Rick Robey knock down Carolina guard John Kuester with a forearm. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Video: Big Hitters Podcast - SMU’s Offense Blasts UNC Basketball
David Ray Allen and Ross Martin discuss UNC Basketball's loss to SMU and what went wrong for the Tar Heels. The conversation gets into the...
Sun Jan 4, 2026

How SMU Limited North Carolina's Frontcourt Duo: Physicality & Double Teams
On North Carolina's first extended possession Saturday, star freshman Caleb Wilson took one post-up dribble to back down SMU forward Corey Washington, turned to his...
Sun Jan 4, 2026

North Carolina vs. SMU Postgame Notes
SMU scored 97 points, the most against the Tar Heels this season. No opponent had scored 75 or more this season. SMU made 14 of...
Sun Jan 4, 2026

Video: UNC Players Post-SMU Locker Room Interviews
North Carolina guards Luka Bogavac and Seth Trimble join forward Jarin Stevenson in speaking with reporters following the Tar Heels' 97-83 loss to the SMU...
Sat Jan 3, 2026