When Hubert Davis was named the successor to Roy Williams last spring, most in Chapel Hill thought it was a perfect fit. As a former Tar Heel great turned assistant coach — who also had Williams’ formal blessing — it was a match made in basketball heaven. What could go wrong?
As it turns out, a lot.
By midseason of Davis’s first campaign, a 22-point blowout to unranked Wake Forest capped an uninspired 12-6 start. While still extremely early in his tenure, skepticism behind Davis’s coaching was growing in the background.
Did Williams make the right choice for a successor? Was Davis up to the task of leading such a prestigious program? Also, why is this a conversation being had mere months into his career? It’s funny how fast perception can flip on a dime.
Within a couple of months of their low point, Davis’s Tar Heels got to the Final Four and slew the dragon in the castle — the hated Mike Krzyzewski and Duke. For good, and during his all-important farewell tour.
Yeah, I’d say Davis has arrived.
Here’s a nice little rundown of Davis’s achievements (with a Men’s National Title potentially on the way):
It’s true! Davis can claim an accomplishment Dean Smith and Williams could’ve only dreamed of. He beat Darth (Mike) Krzyzewski in his last Duke home game and in his last game in the Final Four, en route to a National Championship Game berth. In his first year as head coach.
Suffice to say: There should be no more questions about Davis’s coaching aptitude. If North Carolina wins the title against Kansas (who are three and a half-point favorites on Monday night, according to Tipico Sportsbook), he might even be untouchable.
Time will only tell what else the 51-year-old Davis will achieve while he roams the Carolina courtside. But if this was only Year 1, you have to think Tar Heel Nation will be enamored with their head coach for years to come.
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