Tobacco Road: Three Paths to Glory Book

When he was asked about his team's chances in the upcoming 1992-93 college basketball season, Les Robinson, head coach at N.C. State said: "Who knows what spring has in store? It's like a ride, a journey, and it doesn't end until the final gong in April; then it's over. It's over. You never have it back again." For the University of North Carolina, Duke University, and North Carolina State University, here's what spring had in store: for N.C. State, a wretched season, filled with disappointment and the tragedy of former coach Jim Valvano's losing fight with cancer; for Duke University, failure to win a third consecutive national title, and a poignant farewell to all-time NCAA assist leader Bobby Hurley; and for the University of North Carolina, one glorious moment of victory when on April 5 they defeated the University of Michigan to win the national championship. Three Paths to Glory chronicles the 1992-93 season as the three schools, all located within a twenty-eight-mile radius, vie for the ACC title, the national championship, and, perhaps most important, bragging rights within the state. Barry Jacobs was granted access to all three teams. He sat in on pratices and team meetings, and he was allowed in the locker room for pregame, halftime, and postgame motivational speeches and tirades. Writing candidly about players and coaches, he highlights their humanity as they struggle through each practice and ever game. Three Paths to Glory offers an unprecedented look at three of the most publicized collegiate basketball programs of recent times. From their first practices to their final games, the book follows the individual but interweaving seasons of each team. Barry Jacobs sheds new light on Dean Smith's tightly guarded UNC basketball program; describes the internal pressures Duke experienced while trying to achieve basketball immortality by winning its third straight national championship; and captures the pride and strength of the N.C. State Wolfpack as it le