Sports

Photo gallery: Take a look back at Tobacco Road basketball action in NC through the years

By Scott Sharpe

READ MORE

A requiem for Tobacco Road

Tobacco Road once facilitated North Carolina’s deep love affair with basketball, a sport that became a defining part of its culture. And the Big Four ACC schools along that stretch — North Carolina, N.C. State, Duke and Wake Forest — once had basketball influence. Now, like the tobacco crop itself, the best days are in the past. Here’s more from The News & Observer.

Expand All
A requiem for NC’s Tobacco Road as it loses stature in a changing college sports world

A requiem for NC’s Tobacco Road as it loses stature in a changing college sports world
Photo gallery: Take a look back at Tobacco Road basketball action in NC through the years

Photo gallery: Take a look back at Tobacco Road basketball action in NC through the years
Tobacco Road by the numbers: How many games? How many farms? How many big match-ups?

Tobacco Road by the numbers: How many games? How many farms? How many big match-ups?
The trip from UNC to Duke is about 8 miles. Where’s the fan dividing line on 15-501?

The trip from UNC to Duke is about 8 miles. Where’s the fan dividing line on 15-501?
From the archives: Postcard from the center of the Triangle’s college basketball universe

From the archives: Postcard from the center of the Triangle’s college basketball universe

We dug deep into the archives of The News & Observer and the The Herald-Sun for photos from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s to show the atmosphere along what’s known in college basketball as Tobacco Road.

The Big Four ACC schools — North Carolina, N.C. State, Duke and Wake Forest — once had huge basketball influence.

Now, like the tobacco crop itself, some say their biggest days seem to be in the past.

Dick Groat receives congratulations after breaking Duke’s scoring record, by scoring 48 points against North Carolina on February 29, 1952.
Dick Groat receives congratulations after breaking Duke’s scoring record, by scoring 48 points against North Carolina on February 29, 1952. File photo
Dick Groat receives congratulations after breaking Duke’s scoring record, by scoring 48 points against Carolina, on February 29, 1952.
Dick Groat receives congratulations after breaking Duke’s scoring record, by scoring 48 points against Carolina, on February 29, 1952. Charles Cooper File photo
Duke Coach Jerry Gerard with players in locker room following the Duke Maryland basketball game of January 4, 1945.
Duke Coach Jerry Gerard with players in locker room following the Duke Maryland basketball game of January 4, 1945. Charles Cooper File photo
UNC’s Lennie Rosenbluth shoots over Wake Forest during action in the 1957 ACC Tournament in a smoky Reynolds Coliseum.
UNC’s Lennie Rosenbluth shoots over Wake Forest during action in the 1957 ACC Tournament in a smoky Reynolds Coliseum. File photo
Wake Forest coach Bones McKinney during 1957 ACC Tournament
Wake Forest coach Bones McKinney during 1957 ACC Tournament File photo
Frank McGuire on the UNC bench during 1957 ACC Tournament.
Frank McGuire on the UNC bench during 1957 ACC Tournament. File photo
Lennie Rosenbluth shoots over a Wake Forest player during the 1957 ACC Tournament.
Lennie Rosenbluth shoots over a Wake Forest player during the 1957 ACC Tournament. File photo
Coach Frank McGuire celebrates with members of the North Carolina team that went 32-0 in 1957.
Coach Frank McGuire celebrates with members of the North Carolina team that went 32-0 in 1957. File photo
An assistant coach lights up a cigar on the bench (right) as Clemson coach Press Maravich works his trademark towel during a game in the 1957 ACC Tournament in Reynolds Coliseum.
An assistant coach lights up a cigar on the bench (right) as Clemson coach Press Maravich works his trademark towel during a game in the 1957 ACC Tournament in Reynolds Coliseum. File photo
Duke coach Vic Bubas gives instructions to his team during the NC State vs. Duke game on Jan. 7, 1963 at Duke.
Duke coach Vic Bubas gives instructions to his team during the NC State vs. Duke game on Jan. 7, 1963 at Duke. File photos
Everett Case, center, is lifted aloft by players and fans following the Wolfpack’s 1965 ACC Tournament title win.
Everett Case, center, is lifted aloft by players and fans following the Wolfpack’s 1965 ACC Tournament title win. File photo
Young basketball fans cheer for UNC and Duke in the1972 ACC Tournament in Greensboro.
Young basketball fans cheer for UNC and Duke in the1972 ACC Tournament in Greensboro. File photo
UNC coach Dean Smith (right) gives instructions to his players including Charlie Scott (center) during a game in the 1969 ACC Tournament.
UNC coach Dean Smith (right) gives instructions to his players including Charlie Scott (center) during a game in the 1969 ACC Tournament. File photo
UNC players celebrate with coach Dean Smith after winning the 1972 ACC Tournament Championship game in Greensboro.
UNC players celebrate with coach Dean Smith after winning the 1972 ACC Tournament Championship game in Greensboro. File photo
NC State’s Tommy Burleson drives to the basket against the defense of UNC’s Bob McAdoo during a game in Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC March 4, 1972.
NC State’s Tommy Burleson drives to the basket against the defense of UNC’s Bob McAdoo during a game in Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC March 4, 1972. The News & Observer
A Wolfpack cheerleader in action on the sidelines during a 1974 game.
A Wolfpack cheerleader in action on the sidelines during a 1974 game. Steve Murray 1974 News & Observer achive phot
NC State’s David Thompson shoots over UNC’s Bobby Jones in action in Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC Feb. 26, 1974.
NC State’s David Thompson shoots over UNC’s Bobby Jones in action in Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC Feb. 26, 1974. File photo
NC State players celebrate with the ACC Tournament championship trophy after their win in 1974.
NC State players celebrate with the ACC Tournament championship trophy after their win in 1974. File photo
Phil Ford celebrates the Tar Heels’ win in the championship game of the 1975 ACC Tournament.
Phil Ford celebrates the Tar Heels’ win in the championship game of the 1975 ACC Tournament. File photo
Members of the N.C. State pep band before a Wolfpack game during the 1975 ACC Tournament in Greensboro, NC.
Members of the N.C. State pep band before a Wolfpack game during the 1975 ACC Tournament in Greensboro, NC. File photo
UNC’s Walter Davis cuts down the nets after the Tar Heels defeated NC State to win the 1975 ACC Tournament championship game.
UNC’s Walter Davis cuts down the nets after the Tar Heels defeated NC State to win the 1975 ACC Tournament championship game. File photo
Read Next
Read Next

This story was originally published January 31, 2024 at 5:45 AM with the headline "Photo gallery: Take a look back at Tobacco Road basketball action in NC through the years."

Follow More of Our Reporting on Uniquely Rock Hill

See all stories
Related Stories from Rock Hill Herald
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER

A requiem for Tobacco Road

Tobacco Road once facilitated North Carolina’s deep love affair with basketball, a sport that became a defining part of its culture. And the Big Four ACC schools along that stretch — North Carolina, N.C. State, Duke and Wake Forest — once had basketball influence. Now, like the tobacco crop itself, the best days are in the past. Here’s more from The News & Observer.

Back to Story