Former UNC basketball players took to social media prior to the Tar Heels’ Final Four showdown with the Duke Blue Devils.
The North Carolina Tar Heels are just one win away from a national championship game appearance, but they’ll have to go through the Duke Blue Devils to get there.
The stakes are high and there will be more people watching the game than ever before. Not that it needed to be, but it’s been billed all week as the biggest and most significant game between the two storied programs in a rivalry dating back more than 100 years.
It might be even more significant than that. It might be the biggest game in NCAA Tournament history, at least in terms of overall awareness and viewership if nothing else. All eyes will be on the Tar Heels and Blue Devils when they take the floor for the second half of a Final Four doubleheader on Saturday night, including those of former players from both schools.
North Carolina alums, in particular, took to social media just hours before the game to support their fellow Tar Heels ahead of the biggest game of their lives.
Four-year player at North Carolina and 2009 national champion, Deon Thompson
You already know who I’m rolling with tonight! Regardless of the outcome, I’m beyond proud of this Tar Heel team and what they have accomplished this season. Enjoy the moment fellas and know we are all behind you! Go Heels! 🏀🐏 @UNC_Basketball pic.twitter.com/pmrXCbms0A
— Deon Thompson (@DeThompson9) April 2, 2022
Formerly Dexter Strickland, a member of the UNC basketball program from 2009-2013
I’m With Carolina!! #CarolinaFamily 🐏 pic.twitter.com/DBMFFp0EzK
— Baden Jaxen (@BadenJaxen_) April 2, 2022
Four-year starter at North Carolina from 2017-2021, Garrison Brooks
Yall know who I’m rocking with !!!! #CarolinaFamily pic.twitter.com/MFbqbeaIUI
— Garrison O. Brooks (@__garro) April 2, 2022
North Carolina’s all-time leading shot-blocker, Brendan Haywood
Drop a comment if you bleed Carolina blue #CarolinaFamily #GDTBATH pic.twitter.com/JciYItTiZP
— Brendan Haywood (@bwood_33) April 2, 2022
Four-year starter for the Tar Heels from 2012-2016, Marcus Paige
It’s all love for the #CarolinaFamily tonight let’s be great! https://t.co/rzNjEpmvqr
— Marcus Paige (@marcuspaige5) April 2, 2022
Two-year starter at North Carolina and 13-year NBA veteran, Harrison Barnes
GAMEDAY!! #CarolinaFamily pic.twitter.com/hcPeSAFCQ2
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) April 2, 2022
Member of the Tar Heels during the 2019-20 season, Christian Keeling
https://twitter.com/ckeeling_11/status/1510290242472980483
Member of the Tar Heels from 2016-2020 and current UNC coaching assistant, Brandon Robinson
Some things just don’t need to be said. #CarolinaFamily pic.twitter.com/HK4PIZlMux
— Brandon Robinson (@BRob_4) April 2, 2022
Member of the Tar Heels from 1970-1973 and 2022 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall-of-Fame inductee, George Karl
My mood today. Go Heels! pic.twitter.com/PUDsUptkSk
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) March 27, 2022
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