During his legendary coaching career, Dean Smith turned the University of North Carolina men’s basketball program into one of the most storied in college basketball. While many will remember Smith for sending Michael Jordan, James Worthy, and a host of other household names into the NBA, his use of the “four corners offense” became one of his staples.
With a lead in hand, the Tar Heels would often station four players in each corner of the opponent’s side of half court while the point guard handled the ball in the middle in an effort to stall time. It contributed to the NCAA’s introduction of the shot clock in 1985.
On Saturday, North Carolina welcomed Georgia Tech to Chapel Hill for their first home game since Smith’s passing. During their first possession, head coach Roy Williams held up four fingers. Tar Heel players on both the bench and floor did the same. What followed was an execution of the four corners offense that would have made the Hall of Fame coach smile.
It doesn’t get much better than that. North Carolina went on to win the game 89-60, improving their record to 19-8.
Photo via: Twitter/TarHeelPhoto
