COLLEGE BASKETBALL / FINAL FOUR NOTES : NORTH CAROLINA : Not a Very Good Start for Smith
After 31 seasons at North Carolina, Coach Dean Smith has built an impressive record. His only losing season (8-9) was his first, in 1961-62.
“He took the blame, but we didn’t have a lot of talent,” former player Jim Hudock said Wednesday from his home in Kinston, N.C.
Hudock recalled Smith’s debut on Dec. 2, 1961, against Virginia. Smith had told the players to raise a fist when they were tired and wanted to rest. But when a player gave the signal, Smith responded with a fist, thinking the player was displaying emotion.
It is difficult to imagine Smith missing any signals these days.
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