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No one expected Hubert Davis to fill Roy Williams’ shoes — but he’s already pulled off a feat faster than his predecessor.
With the Tar Heels’ 20-point victory over St. Peter’s, the former assistant (2012-21) became the ninth coach to make the Final Four in his first year.
Williams made the national semifinals in his third year at Kansas, winning his first title in his 17th season overall and second at UNC. Now Davis has an opportunity to make his own history.
- Michigan’s interim coach Steve Fisher won a championship in 1989, but Davis would be the first full-time coach to win in his first season.
- In the first year of a five-year, $9.8M deal, Davis is the third-lowest-paid coach ($1.8M AAV) in the ACC.
- According to USA Today, 60 coaches earned $2M+ this season.
- Williams made $4.1M his final year, while Mike Krzyzewski is making $7.4M (1st in men’s basketball).
The Tar Heels will face the Blue Devils for the first time in NCAA tournament history. UNC leads the rivalry (142-115) — and most recently spoiled Coach K’s final game at Cameron.
The Tar Heels are currently underdogs (+4*) against Duke and have the worst odds (+500*) to win their seventh national title.
