Light Blue Reign

North Carolina basketball isn't looking so hot for the 2009-2010 season, but my latest read allowed me to visit the glory days of Carolina basketball.

Art Chansky does a great job recounting the history of the three coaches (and more) who have shaped the UNC program in his book, Light Blue Reign: How a City Slicker, a Quiet Kansan, and a Mountain Man Built College Basketball's Longest-Lasting Dynasty.

From Frank McGuire, to Dean Smith, to Roy Williams, the history of the teams and the transitions in the program were fascinating. Chansky also does a good job of giving background on the Southern Conference which preceded the ACC and the Big Four (Wake Forest, Duke, UNC, and N.C. State). He did a good job of connecting the stories and time lines to make me feel like I had been watching UNC ball since the 1957 team went undefeated (I can barely remember Jordan from '82).

If you're a UNC fan or even a Big Four fan, you'll enjoy this book. If you are a South Carolina fan...maybe not so much.