What if this was your Granny?

This made me laugh.

UNC and KU Basketball

Image by totomaru via Flickr

Being born in North Carolina I've always been a fan of the University of North Carolina athletics, particularly the basketball program. As I've learned more about the history of the program over the years, I have also come to appreciate the basketball program at Kansas University as well.

Even more than the fact that the inventor of basketball, James Naismith coached at Kansas, I've come to appreciate the shared history of the two schools. Here's the quick time line of just two of the connections with Dean Smith and Roy Williams.

1931: Dean Smith was born in Kansas
1949-1953: Dean Smith began playing basketball for Kansas
1950: Roy Williams was born in North Carolina
1953-1954: Dean Smith served as assistant coach for Kansas
1958 - 1961: Dean Smith becomes assistant coach for North Carolina
1961: Dean Smith becomes head coach of North Carolina
1968-1969: Roy Williams played JV ball at North Carolina
1978-1988: Roy Williams served as assistant coach for North Carolina
1988: Roy Williams becomes head coach of Kansas
1997: Dean Smith Retires from coaching at North Carolina
2003: Roy Williams becomes head coach of North Carolina

I do believe UNC has had more benefit out of the relationship between the two schools. Out of 100 years of basketball at UNC, 56 combined years have been influenced by Dean Smith and Roy Williams. As a UNC fan, it would be wrong for me not tell Kansas "thanks."

I'm not sure if UNC can repeat a national championship this year, but I'll be rooting for the Jayhawks too.