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UNC Basketball: The legendary “Carolina Mile” run

By Nick Delahanty

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 01: A detailed view of the interlock NC logo on the shorts of Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during a game against the Pittsburgh Panthers on February 01, 2023 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Pittsburgh won 65-64. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 01: A detailed view of the interlock NC logo on the shorts of Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during a game against the Pittsburgh Panthers on February 01, 2023 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Pittsburgh won 65-64. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /
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A pair of former UNC basketball standouts recently discussed the legendary “Carolina Mile,” a run that former Tar Heels have memories about!

“The Carolina Mile.”

If you’re a fan of the UNC basketball program, it’s very likely that you’ve heard of this preseason basketball conditioning method that has been used since the Dean Smith era.

There are two components that are a part of this mile. Every player was required to make a certain time, which is based on his size and ability. A smaller player would likely have a lower time while the big men may be allowed extra time to finish.

As an incentive, any player who makes his tough time was exempt from post-practice conditioning during the first week of practice.

Coach Dean Smith was known to make the tough times even tougher, as this preseason conditioning method was aimed to challenge his team as the school year officially got underway.

On a recent episode of Tidal League’s “Run Your Race Podcast,” former UNC basketball standouts Theo Pinson and Reggie Bullock discussed “The Carolina Mile,” as both players recalled their experiences with this challenging task.

Both former Tar Heels noted that the players would go home before “The Carolina Mile” had to be completed, as they would get some days away from campus before the school year began. Once they returned to campus, this conditioning test would occur on the first day of classes.

For incoming freshmen, the first day of college is typically a stressful one. Add this to the mix, and you got yourself quite the first day of your new journey!

What “The Carolina Mile” signifies is the beginning of a new year. It also starts the countdown towards the beginning of the UNC basketball program’s season, as the hope is that the competitiveness shown during this run is a common trait that the current team will showcase as they work toward bringing another national championship to Chapel Hill.

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