In Game
North Carolina basketball games have been selling out for decades and with good reason since the Tar Heels are one of the most successful teams in the country. The Dean Dome is always at capacity, so you’ll experience a full and lively crowd when attending a game in Chapel Hill.
The student section inside the Dean Smith Center is especially vocal in their support. The rowdy nature and crazy antics of the student section go a long way in making North Carolina a tough place for opposing teams to play. Whether it’s going crazy during the Tar Heels warm-ups or jumping around before tip-off, the students are always showing their support for their team.
You’ll also encounter plenty of shrines to the Tar Heels illustrious history when attending a game at the Dean Smith Center. While the Dean Smith Center isn’t home to a hall of fame, there is an entire basketball museum dedicated to the Tar Heels basketball program right next door. You’ll also find numerous banners hanging from the rafters that show off the Tar Heels retired numbers and national championships. Make sure to arrive early to stop by the museum and check out the banners hanging inside the Dean Smith Center.
Finally, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus is absolutely gorgeous so take some time to explore the nearby area. Also, make sure to head to Franklin Street if you want to grab a bite to eat or drink before the game.
A trip to Chapel Hill is on the bucket list of any college basketball fan, so start planning your trip today to experience the one of a kind experience that is attending a game at the Dean Smith Center.
Things to check out
Carolina Basketball Museum
Located right next to the Dean Smith Center is the Carolina Basketball Museum. The museum is home to an incredible amount of North Carolina basketball artifacts and is a must-see for basketball fans. It’s open from 10:00 to 4:00 on weekdays and 9:00 to 1:00 on Saturdays, so stop by before the game to check it out.
Watch video
Banners
The rafters above the floor of the Dean Smith Center are littered with banners honoring the best players and teams in Tar Heels history. Take a minute before the game starts to remember all of North Carolina’s best players including the greatest of them all, Michael Jordan.
Watch video
Team Store
Stop by the Tar Heels Team Store if you want to pick up a souvenir from your trip to Chapel Hill. The store is home to a variety of gear including jerseys, t-shirts, hats, and much more.
The Slide
During the pregame warm-ups, the Tar Heels players dance in uniform and then slide on their stomachs. The slide is a lot of fun for the players and everyone in the arena goes crazy when they do it, so arrive early to see this fun game day tradition.
Watch video
Jump Around
Right before tip-off, the fans jump up and down to “Jump Around” by House of Pain. It gets everyone up and on their feet right before the game starts and is an excellent way to show off your Tar Heels spirit, so join in on the fun.
Watch video
Thanking the Passer
After each bucket the player who made the shot looks and points at the player who passed him the ball. The tradition does an excellent job of promoting teamwork and has become a signature of UNC basketball over the years.
The Tar Pit
The Tar Pit is the official UNC student section, which remains loud and rambunctious throughout the game regardless of the score. The student section really helps to create the great atmosphere that can be found at a UNC basketball game and also helps spur on their team to victory. If you are looking to sit alongside the wildest and craziest fans at a Tar Heels games, make sure to sit here.
Rameses the Ram
Rameses the Ram has been the Tar Heels mascot since 1924. The mascot was chosen due to the team’s star fullback in 1922 Jack Merritt being nicknamed the “Battering Ram.” Rameses has stuck around ever since and has spawned two versions of the mascot a live ram and an anthropomorphic ram that is part of the cheer squad. Look for the costumed Ramesses to entertain the crowd at a UNC basketball game.
Watch video
Pep Band
The Tar Heels pep band helps ignite the atmosphere inside the Dean Dome with their incredible performances. All throughout the game you’ll hear a variety of North Carolina school songs, so enjoy the music of the pep band when attending a Tar Heels basketball game.
Watch video
Fight Songs
-
Here Comes Carolina
Here comes Car’lina lina
Here comes Car’lina lina
We hail from NCUWe’ve got the team to win it,
We’ve got the spirit in it,
We wear the colors white and blue.So it’s fight, fight, fight for Carolina
As Davie did in days of old;
As we rally round the Well,
Cheer that Tar Heel team like hell,
For the glory of NCU. -
Tar Heels on Hand
Tar Heels on Hand,
To steal the Thunder from the Sky:
Then take our stand,
As every man does right by Blue and White,
We’ll give the Tar Heels a Hand,
And cheer them on to do or die (Yeah!)
All of us are for U.N.C.
and you can betcha we’re proud to be
the Tar Heels on Hand! -
Carolina Victory
There’ll be a Carolina Victory
When cross the field the foe has fled
Cheer the team to Victory
For we are Tar Heels Born and Bred (Rah! Rah! Rah!)
Glory Glory U.N.C.
Our hearts will live with thee
Fight! Fight! Fight the Blue and White are
Rolling to Victory! -
I’m a Tar Heel Born
UNC’s primary fight song
I’m a Tar Heel born.
I’m a Tar Heel bred.
And when I die I’m a Tar Heel dead.
So it’s rah, rah Car’lina, lina.
Rah, rah Car’lina, lina.
Rah, rah Car’lina, lina.
Rah, Rah, Rah.I’m a Tar Heel born.
I’m a Tar Heel bred.
And when I die I’m a Tar Heel dead.
So it’s rah, rah Car’lina, lina.
Rah, rah Car’lina, lina.
Rah, rah Car’lina, lina.
Rah, Rah, Rah.Go Tar Heels!
Go Tar Heels!
Go Tar Heels! -
Hark the Sound
UNC alma mater
Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices
Ringing clear and True
Singing Carolina’s praises
Shouting N.C.U.Hail to the brightest Star of all
Clear its radiance shine
Carolina priceless gem,
Receive all praises thine.I’m a Tar Heel born I’m a Tar Heel bred
And when I die I’m a Tar Heel dead.
So it’s RAH, RAH, Car’lina ‘lina
RAH, RAH, Car’lina ‘lina
RAH, RAH, Car’lina
RAH! RAH! RAH!
