Turns out I’ve had an amazing life of 5-year intervals.
Like most of you, Roy Williams’ retirement made me think of Carolina basketball in terms of where we were when such-and-such happened. My personal journey can be traced, literally, every five years.
The first five, of course, I knew nothing about UNC hoops, or anything else for that matter. But in my fifth year on this Earth, UNC hired Frank McGuire to coach the basketball team. In my tenth year, McGuire and his Tar Heels won the legendary national championship with a 32-0 record. In my fifteenth year, McGuire resigned and Carolina promoted his assistant Dean Smith.
In my 20th year, I was on my way to Chapel Hill and noticed that Carolina beat Boston College and coach Bob Cousy on its way to Smith’s first Final Four. In my 25th year, I was a UNC graduate covering the Tar Heels at his fourth Final Four in LA.
In my 30th year, I was on press row for a heartbreaking loss to Marquette in the NCAA title game in Atlanta. In my 35th year, I was at the Superdome for Smith’s first national championship, secured by Michael Jordan’s jumper from the left wing.
My 40th year witnessed another heartbreak, losing to Syracuse in the Elite Eight when Smith’s Tar Heels had one of the best, if not THE best team in the country.
In my 45th year, Duke passed Carolina as the best program with its second straight NCAA title, spurring Smith’s resurgence. In my 50th year, after his second national championship and last two of his 11 Final Fours, Dean Smith retired.
My 55th year endured the 8-20 season, setting the wheels in motion for Roy Williams’ return to Chapel Hill.
My 60th was the year of Ol’ Roy’s induction into the Hall of Fame. My 65th watched his best team (2012) that didn’t win an NCAA title, and my 70th cheered his third natty and his finest coaching job in 30 years.
Now, almost five years later, we are looking to his successor to keep Carolina basketball at the top of our minds.
As for the future, gimme five!
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