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

Audio: Jones Angell Previews UNC vs. Duke Football and UNC vs. Indiana Basketball
Voice of the Tar Heels Jones Angell joins Aaron to preview Saturday’s battle for the Victory Bell, with UNC football taking on Duke. Jones also...
Sat Oct 17, 2026

Tar Heels in NBA: Caleb Wilson closes out impressive preseason with best all-around showing
Caleb Wilson finished his first NBA preseason with one of his most complete performances Friday, helping the host Chicago Bulls beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-116...
Sat Oct 17, 2026

Tennessee Court Denies Motion, Cameron Fens Remains Ineligible
Cameron Fens remains ineligible after the Tennessee Supreme Court denied a motion to lift the stay it executed in August, which made the UNC Basketball...
Sat Oct 17, 2026

North Carolina vs. Indiana Basketball Preview: Tar Heels Look to Continue Preseason Build
Indiana’s size and experience in the frontcourt were on full display Sunday, as the Hoosiers dominated the glass, outrebounding Butler 53-33. And while North Carolina...
Fri Oct 16, 2026