YouTube Gold: Derek Smith And Louisville Win The 1980 NCAA Championship

Nolan Smith’s dad did okay at Louisville

Most Duke fans know the story of Nolan Smith and his father, Derek.

Derek played for Louisville and was part of Denny Crum’s first national championship team in 1980. Dereck won his own championship in 2010 in the same city, Indianapolis.

But Derek died on a cruise in 1996 when Nolan was just nine years old of a massive heart attack, due to an undetected heart defect.

It’s clearly - and understandably - had a profound effect on the younger Smith.

In 1980, Denny Crum was still a fairly young coach at Louisville. He came to the school in 1971, leaving UCLA despite being in position to succeed John Wooden, who would retire in a few years.

He was immediately successful, starting with a 26-5 record in his first season. His system would look pretty familiar to Duke fans - lots of athletic, versatile players who play defense and run well, scoring a lot in transition.

UCLA was led by a young Larry Brown who got to the national championship game in his first season which is truly impressive.

But Smith and Louisville prevailed, winning 59-54.