Five words for you: Tar Heel basketball in September.
In short it was incredible and not so much for the game which itself was almost secondary. It was the gathering of all those great Tar Heels on that court which is a cherished place that lent it a special feeling. Looking down on the court your eyes went from Dean Smith to Michael Jordan to George Karl to Tyler Hansbrough to Jerry Stackhouse to Larry Brown to Antawn Jamison and on and on. So many incredible players and coaches in that 94 x 50 foot space that it sent chills down your spine. On that court you had three coaches who had a combined five national titles, three National Player of the year award recipients, countless All-Americans, two Cousy Award winners and more national champions than you could shake a stick at. I would venture to say no other program in the nation could stage a game like this nor boast the coaching prowess branched from Dean Smith. It was truly an event 100 years in the making and very much a once in a lifetime event.
The night started with the Smith Center lights being darkened and the crowd treated to a video montage which, without a doubt, included every great moment in UNC history which had been committed to video. The Walter Davis shot to complete the 8 points in 17 seconds was included along with Rick Fox beating #1 Oklahoma, Marvin Williams’ three point play versus Duke in 2005, Danny Green dunking on Greg Paulus, the closing moments of each of the four national titles starting in 1982 and a variety of other game winners. Just about every key play you can think of and just plain greatness from Heels past. The neat part of the video was when they showed many of the great game winners, the crowd exploded as though we were watching it for the first time.
The players and coaches were introduced next with the lights out and a spotlight. This was rather lengthy not because of the number of players but because this group of players all had extensive accolades which were announced. Most of these Tar Heels were huge contributors and stars in their own right at UNC. The loudest cheering was reserved for Tyler Hansbrough when he was introduced. The coaches were recognized and Dean Smith received a long ovation which included the players raising their arms and cheering him own. All the players were on the court as was Bill Guthridge, Roy Williams and Larry Brown. When Dean was recognized he did not want to leave his seat to come out. As the lengthy retelling of his accomplishments proceeded I could not help but think: “Dean probably hates they are doing this.” As he has done so often Dean eschewed the recognition and only after Roy came back over did he relent and come onto the court to receive an ovation that brought down the house. What was telling was the fact the players on the court led the cheers illustrating how much they held Dean in esteem.
From there they actually got down to the business of playing the game which was pretty much what you expected. Yes it was a tad sloppy at times and since no one was going to risk injury they did hold back some. Still it was entertaining. “Jump Around” was played right before tipoff and Danny Green obliged the crowd with one last dance. Vince Carter then called over to the Blue Team bench for Shammond Williams to come out and pointed at Green. Williams responded by dancing some himself much to the delight of the crowd. The game was fun and for many of these players it must have been a thrill to be able to suit up in Tar Heel uniforms and play on the Smith Center court again.
Based on the rosters, it was assumed the White team would win and that was ultimately the case. The White squad had too much firepower and the Blue team had a lot of trouble hitting shots. There were some nice touches like the Blue team going to Four Corners at one point to honor Dean. It was also interesting to note that some things never change. Jamison can still catch the ball and shoot it all in the same motion. Carter can still throw down some insane dunks. Green can still light it up from three, though we really did not expect otherwise since he was doing it five months ago. We did get treated to the Lawson vs Felton matchup we anticipated. Both of them made a go at each other. It appeared to me Felton had trouble keeping Lawson in front of him and on one occasion Lawson crossed Felton up then blew by him for a layup. Bobby Frasor drove the lane for a layup and had it promptly sent back by Rashad McCants. Jamison and Carter bantered back and forth with the latter throwing down three nasty dunks. On one break Blue came down three on two with Carter in the center. Instead of passing it off to one of his teammates on the wing, Carter tossed it off the backboard to himself and dunked it. Near the end of the half, Carter got another one off the glass via Lawson to S. Williams who tossed it up to the glass. Carter caught it and did a windmill dunk just before the buzzer. The second half was a fairly mundane affair. The crowd enjoyed a few more nice plays but mostly it was just fun to sit there and soak up the fact we were watching so many great players on the court. White was in complete control and ended up winning by 21.
Some other interesting aspects of the night were:
- The 2009 NCAA title banner was unfurled with the full team on hand and yes it looks great up there with the others.
- Michael Jordan was honored during one of the 2nd half timeouts for his upcoming Hall of Fame induction. A new banner with all of the HOF inductees in UNC history was unfurled opposite the title banners.
- George Karl was the head coach for the Blue team. John Keuster coached the White team.
- In case you were wondering, the VIPs at the scorer’s table were(seated L to R): Bill Guthridge, Roy Williams, Michael Jordan, Dean Smith and Larry Brown
- Dante Calabria has much less hair than he once did.
- Ademola Okulaja was on hand and interviewed by Jones Angel during a timeout. His recovery from cancer is going well.
- Jeff McInnis was on the White team which had Phil Ford as a coach. Let that one sink in a moment.
- Jackie Manuel may have scored more points in this game than he did any one game during his entire senior season.
- Maybe it was me, but the road uniforms looks to be a deeper shade of blue than last season.
- The current team was on hand and for most folks it was a first look at the Wear twins, Dexter Strickland, John Henson and Leslie McDonald.
As I said, it was an incredible night. A ton of credit should go to the UNC basketball staff and athletic department for putting together the event and have it be such a success. It was a great start to the year long celebration of UNC basketball’s 100th anniversary and I look forward to watching the next chapter unfold come November.
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Best. Game. Ever. (Please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors as I am almost too tired to think.)
Let me say first that I cried, I cried alot. I cried at the first video montage, I cried when they introduced the players, I cried when they unfurled the banner and I almost cried when I got a picture with Rameses but I decided at the last minute that puffy, red eyes would not look too great in a picture.
I screamed alot too. Every basket I screamed, every dunk I screamed louder. My thorat hurts now.
Lastly, my favorite part of the night. When they introduced Dean Smith. The whole Smith Center got quiet. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it that quiet during a game. Ever. The following noise I heard was the loudest ever. It was beautiful.
It was so amazing. I was in the same building as Micheal Jordan, Dean Smith, Roy Williams, Phil Ford, Tyler Hansbrough and so many others. It was absoulutley unreal.
100 years of tradition, class and love. This is what Carolina basketball is all about and I am so glad to be part of this giant family.
Goodnight and GO HEELS!!!
The Lawson/Felton show was great. At one point, they each crossed each other up on consecutive plays. It seems as if Lawson is a tad faster, but Felton can cross you up, change tempo, and cross you up again to size up the score in the paint. Really 2 of the finest point guards I have been able to lay eyes on.
Also, the general atmosphere was great. Watching the archived footage again was chilling. Maybe its just that I’m getting older, and seeing those clips from 77 and 82 bring back those childhood memories. This event really makes you proud to be a Tarheel fan. How about Antawn Jamison’s commentary on Dean. That should have made every listener cry. Wow is all I can say.
THF, I was able to find a ticket and loved every minute of the event. I couldn’t help but repeat to myself, “Ain’t it great to be a Tar Heel.”
What Roy said just after the game piqued my interest. He said they plan to have an oldtimers game during the year. Can’t wait to see guys nearly as old as yours truly having their turn.
uncgirl50, are you a student now? I wish I could be back on campus every day.
I noticed while walking down Ridge Road to the game that there was a field hockey game going on. The stands were absolutely filled with light-blue shirted fans. I liked that. Guess most of them left that venue for the Smith Center.
What a great day.
That was awesome. When Antawn choked up talking about Dean it almost brought tears to my eyes. There might be other schools who can assemble the talent that we did tonight (though I doubt it). But there can’t be many schools who can assemble such talent who are part of such a family.
Just think, we filled 21,000+ seats for a glorified pickup game. Carolina basketball is the best, and we are fortunate to be a part of such a thing. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. I’m glad to be a Tar Heel. Go Heels!
Let’s kick some Citadel butt!
Great write-up, THF. Many thanks.
Was Harrison Barnes at the game? If he’s thinking about going anywhere else, it’s something he could have benefitted from seeing.
A very few other programs are roughly as successful as we have been, and a few graduate a higher percentage of their players. But none has the combination of clean competition and sustained success that we do.
Did anyone hear why Rasheed wasn’t there? I think Peppers was given a uniform to replace Sheed, although he wouldn’t go into the game. I suppose he didn’t want to take any chances with the first regular season NFL game upcoming.
Rath, I was trying to spot Barnes with the current team members but couldn’t see clearly because the goal was in the way from my vantage point. If he was there, he was given quite a bit to consider.
WRAL has posted a long video of the event here: http://www.wralsportsfan.com/unc/video/5943053/
I understand that the Panthers would not allow Pep to play, so he just warmed up with the team and sat on the bench. No word on why Sheed was not able to make it.
As I was walking up to the Dean Dome, I heard a guy on his cell phone say he had just sold two tickets for $100. Very memorable night.
I hope you all enjoyed it…while I seethe with jealous envy from 1200 miles away.
Larry, I’m now a student at UNC. I can’t beleive it. It’s so amazing to be a pat of this school. It’s like I belong here.
THF, you aren’t the only one who noticed the uniforms. The road blue does look darker this year.
uncgirl,
I was not sure because I do not think I have actually seen them play a game live in the road uniforms. I only see home games and NCAA Tournament games in person, in each of those UNC was wearing white.
THF, from what I could tell there is a slight shade difference. I compared some pictures from last season and some from the game and they look different.
The average age of a high school senior is 17-18 years old. Has there been a more dominant or prominent college basketball program in the last 17 years? How could any basketball recruit take a look at last night and not have their socks knocked off?
The number of pros, the number of championship rings, the number of hall-of-famers…simply staggering. Amazing night.
And how about the forgotten Tar Heel pro, Brandan Wright? For some reason people seem to remember Marvin Williams because he was on the title team, but Wright gets excluded even though he would only have been a senior in 2010.
As for the uniforms – I hope those are not THE uniforms for this season – the “North Carolina” font is gaudy. I hope these were specially-made for this event by Nike…
I feel ya Tx. But, being able to look at my UNC-UT tickets takes the sting off a little.
THF,
Was any reason ever given for Rasheed’s no show??? I was surprised Rasheed didn’t come…
Also, on the uniform watch, not only are the shades of blue different on the road uniforms, but NORTH CAROLINA is bigger on both uniforms too.
PRGuy,
Thanks for the link.
i would have to agree with JBowling. the Felton vs Lawson stuff was some of my favorite of the night.
Rasheed is one of my least favorite Carolina players, and i couldve gone a long way liking him more if he showed up, smiling, joking around with the guys, all that. instead, he was his typical self and no-showed. adam lucas’ live blog had his MOTHER in attendance, so what gives, ‘Sheed? now i like him even less.
pretty clear that Phil is better at putting a team together, and coaching, than pat sullivan(Ford’s team was going to have ‘Sheed on it, too). not sure how that coaching matchup was determined.
i was expecting more of a no-D NBA All Star game, but those guys were playing D, making it tough on guys. it mightve reduced the Vinsanity moments.
how bout Jackie Manuel showing off his offensive skills?
i have never clapped at an event so much in my life. as i said before, if Barnes was there, he’s coming to Carolina. i mean, are you kidding me? i’ve seen worthy, jordan, perkins all on the same court and i was having an out of body experience when these guys came out to jump it up. the players on that court. the banners. the volume in the Dome. how could you not want to be in that group? “nah, i’d rather have 4% body fat and bench press 50 lbs 3 times, while underachieving and having my skills supressed. oh and getting yelled at. yeah, sign me up for that.”
Roy’s last comment at the end of the night about how there’s no better place to play college basketball. like a direct message there.
“the players on that court. the banners. the volume in the Dome. how could you not want to be in that group? “nah, i’d rather have 4% body fat and bench press 50 lbs 3 times, while underachieving and having my skills supressed. oh and getting yelled at. yeah, sign me up for that.””
I totally agree! My aunt and I were talking after the game and we both agreed that any recruits (I’m not naming any names) that would choose dook (or any other school for that matter) over UNC after seeing that are absoulutley crazy and they belong at dook (or the other school that they chose).
I’m sure Duke would like to have an Alumni game, but its hard to get all of those European league schedules worked out.
^rimshot
hey-o!
I just found out that the uniforms worn at the game were designed just for the alumni game. They aren’t our regular season jerseys.
Mark — Good point, but it would be easier with Dook having to coordinate with everyone’s European schedule than it would be with Florida State having to coordinate with everyone’s probation officer.
Burn!!! Times two!
it isnt Harrison Barnes…yet, but James McAdoo, 6’8″ power forward, the #2 2011 prospect according to Scout, picks Carolina two days after being at the alumni game.
damn straight.
very nice article:
http://fayobserver.com/Articles/2009/09/06/931562
wonder why it takes the fayetteville observer to write it, tho.
Plus, those darn ankle bracelets can wear a blister when you’re wearing high tops.