The 2018-19 North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball regular season is over. Now, it is time for another (hopefully successful) trip to the Big Dance. Roy Williams’ bunch have sky high expectations as anything short of another National Championship would be viewed as a disappointment. North Carolina’s starting five is one of the best in the country. Graduate transfer Cameron Johnson has been electric from the outside. Freshman phenom Coby White and his voluptuous fro has been making it rain anywhere on the court. Luke Maye has been steady as always and Kenny Williams, from MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA, has picked it up as the season progressed. Can the Heels capture their SEVENTH title? We’ll find out in the NCAA Tournament ahead.
Back on Halloween Eve, the team hosted their very first open practice for students only. It was a pleasant experience seeing the team live for the first time. I was interviewed by Daily Tar Heel senior writer, Tommy Fradenburg, as he interviewed me about my opinion and outlook on the season. You can find the full article here: https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2018/10/unc-open-practice-1030. I said that “This team has the potential to make a run to the Final Four.” Currently that is TBD. My prediction was an appearance to Final Four but I refused to say if we would be National Champions. I felt like if Coby White lived up to the hype and Cameron Johnson came back healthy, we could be the best team in the nation. I knew that teams like Duke, UVA, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Florida State would be tough tasks to navigate through. Five months later, we look like we can beat anyone in the country at our best.
Several events at the university such as the student open practice, Late Night with Roy Williams, and storming Franklin Street after beating Duke or winning a National Championship is what makes being a part of the basketball culture on campus so thrilling. I loved watching UNC basketball on television and celebrating a National Championship against Gonzaga. However, being a student on campus and really coming to terms on how much this sport means to the university is really intriguing to me, even as a huge sports fanatic.
With that being said, let's take a deep dive of a student perspective of going to a Carolina basketball game! Here is my personal ranking of the Tar Heel basketball games I had the pleasure of attending in my first year on campus...
9. Louisville vs UNC
Starting off at #9 was the only game I’ve been to where my beloved Heels have lost. It was a game in which the Tar Heels never had a chance. I remember my friend, Peter Fromke, joked around before the game when I told him to make a prediction before tip off. We expected this game to be a Heels victory and he jokingly said “Louisville wins by 20.” Coincidentally, it happened to be the worst loss in the Roy Williams era at home. Enough said…Final Score: Louisville 83, North Carolina 62
8. Mount Olive vs UNC (Exhibition)
I debated leaving a 43 point preseason game against a Division II school off the list. However, considering this was my first actual UNC basketball game in the Dean Dome, it had to make the cut. This was the first time I was able to see our three new recruits, Nassir Little, Rechon “Leaky” Black, and Coby White under a real game environment for the very first time. Although it was a predictable result, getting into the risers and getting the first taste of Carolina basketball was a thrilling experience hanging out with my friends Peter and Cameron. Final Score: North Carolina 107, Mount Olive 64
7. UNC vs Syracuse
This game probably should be higher but about I had no idea that I was even going to this game since I didn’t win the lottery for the game and had no urgency to go. However, as we had an untimely fire drill at our residential dorm, my friend Ryan texted me that he couldn’t go and asked if I wanted tickets last minute. Of course, I’m not going to turn down tickets to a basketball game. I scrambled to Subway and got a quick bite for dinner before scrambling to the Dean Dome. We were high up in the raptors but Peter and I got to witness Coby White’s amazing game which turned out to be his career high (34 points). Honestly, the Orange deserved to win but Coby came through for the good guys. Final Score: North Carolina 93, Syracuse 85
6. UNCW vs UNC
I enjoyed this game because I was first row in the risers, a very coveted position for UNC basketball games. Getting in line about three hours before tip off does the trick. Unless it’s the Duke game of course. Also, the first half was actually pretty competitive. Not sure if I should’ve been happy about that or not. Eventually, we pulled away but a battle of any UNC vs UNC is a must see. Final Score: North Carolina 97, UNC Wilmington 69
5. Stanford vs UNC
I’ll always remember this one for several reasons. First off, I made the promise to myself to not miss a class in college. Once I won tickets to this game, I had to break my own promise...yikes. It would almost be a sin if I missed out on the season opener. Secondly, I made the questionable decision of standing in the pouring rain 2 ½ hours before tip off so my roommate Josh and I could get front row. The game itself was great. Our team looked a little rusty but considering that was the first real game of the year, that is to be expected. Final Score: North Carolina 90, Stanford 72
4. NC State vs UNC
Can I say “not our rivals?” Getting in line over four hours before tip off and having a Spanish 203 test the next day probably wasn’t wise, Rest assured, I did great on my Spanish exam. Studying in line is a classic Carolina student move. Being surrounded by a bunch of my friends was great. Seeing Carolina dominate their “rivals” was even better. Final Score: North Carolina 113, NC State 96
3. Gonzaga vs UNC
The timing of this game was almost perfection. I was just coming off the dreaded "exam week" following my very first semester. This game was essentially an early Christmas gift that didn't come with a bow but instead a couple of emphatic dunks on the court. I felt confident going into this game. The Zags had some superstar power with studs Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke. However, UNC grabbed their first signature win of the season as they comfortably led the Bulldogs in the first meeting of these teams since the 2017 National Championship Game. Nice way to head into the break. Final Score: North Carolina 103, Gonzaga 90
2. Miami vs UNC
What made this game amazing was it was supposed to be a snoozer. Tar Heel fans should’ve known better. The year prior, Miami came into Chapel Hill and knocked us off on Senior Night on a running buzzer beater three point shot. This year, it looked like we could be seeing a repeat of the Hurricanes resurgence in Chapel Hill. Miami was not a NCAA Tournament type team this year. A 12pm tip off and I could feel the energy wasn’t there for either the fans or the team. Under the leadership of 5’7 point guard Chris Lykes and his 27 point performance, it became a nerve-wracking game throughout. In the final seconds of regulation, Luke Maye hit a clutch three followed by a Lykes miss at the buzzer to send us to OT. In the following five minutes, Kenny Williams drained a big time three with 2:06 remaining to grab the lead for good. Final Score: North Carolina 88, Miami 85 (OT)
1. Duke vs UNC
What else would top the list? Shout out to Peter for graciously sacrificing his ticket and letting me attend. The best rivalry in College Basketball for its biannual installment. Of course this game was at the start of Spring Break. Yet another instance of perfect timing! Of course, it was the last time I’d see seniors Luke Maye, Cameron Johnson, and Kenny Williams play in a Carolina uniform.
In the morning, I woke up at 6:20am to get a good seat for ESPN College GameDay. By a stroke of luck, one of the ESPN employees selected me along with nine others to try out for the State Farm half-court tuition giveaway. Unfortunately, I didn’t get selected but at least I can now say I have shot a basketball inside the Dean E Smith Center. Despite getting partially trampled and not getting first row, my friend Tyler and I finessed our signs on television. At the show’s conclusion, I was able to take a picture with Kenny Williams as he recognized my “Midlothian Represent” sign since he went to L.C. Bird High School here in the 804 area.
As for the game, I went with my friend Reuben as we waited in the Phase 5 line for the game. Typically, there are only three phases. Every game I attended prior to this one, I had obtained a Phase 1 ticket, meaning I get the best seats. However, I wasn’t going to complain. ANY ticket to the Duke game is a good one. There were so many people that they basically made a Phase 6 and we barely made the cut off. I loved this game because my all-time favorite Tar Heel, Kenny Williams, went off for 18 points and drained 4 three pointers along with some key defensive plays. The year before in Chapel Hill, KDubs hit six three pointers and scored a career high 20 points. I guess the Blue Devils bring out the best in my guy.
After the celebration of a CAROLINA WIN over Duke, most of the Carolina contingency stayed in their seats to listen to Cam, Luke, and Kenny give their goodbye senior speeches to the fans. It was amazing to hear and so much sweeter to witness it in person. I had always dreamed of going to a Duke-Carolina game and so far in my freshman year, we are 2-0 in the regular season against the school “seven miles down the road." Final Score: North Carolina 79, Duke 70
Going into the NCAA Tournament, I believe that based on what our team has shown up to this point, we have all the talent and poise to win another National Championship. Elite teams like Gonzaga, Virginia, Duke, and Kentucky will all have something to say about that when it’s all said and done. However, I have the upmost faith in my team. I’m excited to see how far we can advance in the tournament as we attempt to send our senior class out on a bang!
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