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

Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar Draft Projections Foreshadow Decisions Facing Tar Heel Stars
While UNC is focused right now on the ACC and NCAA Tournament games on its docket, scouts and draft reporters are focused on the NBA...
Wed Mar 11, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - UNC's Smith Center - What Does 'Forever' Mean?
Greg Barnes of Inside Carolina discusses the complex nature of the Smith Center's permanent seat license, why the decision to renovate or relocate continues to...
Wed Mar 11, 2026

UNC Basketball Already Has Seven Games Together Without Caleb Wilson
If there is any silver lining to the news that Caleb Wilson is out for the season, it's that UNC has already spent a month...
Wed Mar 11, 2026

Using Caleb Wilson, JT Toppin injuries as test case for NCAA Tournament selection committee's proces
UNC faces its own unique injury dilemma entering Selection Sunday, with star freshman Caleb Wilson out with a second injury. After reports that he planned...
Wed Mar 11, 2026