UNC Basketball: Roy Williams passes Dean Smith on all-time wins list

One UNC basketball legend passes another, as Roy Williams notches win No. 880, passing Dean Smith for fourth-place on college hoops’ all-time wins list.

The third time is the charm, or so they say. For Roy Williams, though, it was the sixth time. Six tries is what it took for Williams to pass his mentor, former UNC head coach Dean Smith, after securing his 879th win nearly a month ago.

After a 70-67 victory over Yale on December 30, the struggling Tar Heels lost five consecutive games — all to Atlantic Coast Conference opponents. Williams, of course, couldn’t care less about one-upping Smith. In fact, it’s something that Williams would rather not talk about. But after a streak that saw the Tar Heels lose to Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh (twice), Clemson and Virginia Tech, a win of any sort is a welcomed sight for Williams, his team and the Carolina faithful.

Williams’ 880th win came in the form of a 94-71 blowout of the Miami Hurricanes at the house that Smith built — but now bears the Williams name on its court. Williams will, no doubt, be asked a plethora of questions about the achievement that he doesn’t care to address, and would prefer to simply gloss over. But as Williams’ sees it, and has often made mention of, he doesn’t feel like he even belongs in the same conversation at Smith.

The truth is, he does; even if he doesn’t agree or acknowledge it. And as one of the greatest coaches to ever grace the game of basketball, Williams will continue to be part of the conversation. And whether he likes it or not, he’s the face of the program that Coach Smith brought to prominence over a half-century ago.

Keeping It Heel will continue its coverage of Williams’ 880th victory, as well as more on the Tar Heels’ win over the Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon.