On the surface, they couldn’t have been more different. One was a progressive pioneer and the picture of dignified reserve: Dean Smith. The other was, well, Bob Knight. And yet, they forged one of the most enduring—and most unlikely—friendships in college sports, Christmas cards and all.
Dean Smith was fuming. This North Carolina team he was coaching was supposed to be better than this. Playing in Los Angeles at the Bruin Classic, the Tar Heels gave up open shot after open shot and lost to Minnesota, 76–60. ACC play was opening in barely a week, and this was not an auspicious sign.