North Carolina Tar Heels: My First-Ever Trip To Chapel Hill (Part Two)

Site Expert Nick Delahanty recently made his first-ever trip to Chapel Hill. What does he have to say regarding the second day he visited the North Carolina Tar Heels?!

November 11, 2022. 9:49 AM EST.

Tip-off of the UNC basketball program’s contest against the College of Charleston wasn’t for a couple of hours yet, but here I was, on the verge of getting my first glimpse of the Dean Smith Center.

We planned to start the day in the Carolina Basketball museum, but of course, I drifted right towards the famous arena of my favorite team. While the area was clear, I wanted to ensure I got some pictures of the view to take home with me.

As my family posed for pictures, current assistant coach Jackie Manuel (and 2005 national champion) walked past and said good morning. Not wanting to bother Manuel, we said good morning back and went on our way, but man was that cool casually walking right past him.

The museum opened at its regular 10 AM time and we made our way in. Let me tell you, I could’ve spent hours in there admiring all the UNC basketball-related memorabilia.

If the introduction video doesn’t hype you up enough, the content inside surely will.

From national championship trophies to markers on the floor showing where some of the greatest shots in Tar Heels history took place, the museum has something for everyone.

For avid UNC basketball fans, this is undoubtedly a “must-see” location.

After we spent quite some time in the museum, we decided it was time to get some lunch. What better way to pregame for a Tar Heels basketball game than to visit Town Hall Grill for some player-inspired meals!

We ordered our Armando Bacot “Mondo Burger” as well as some “Lock Down Leaky Chicken Tenders,” named after Leaky Black, of course.

Both meals have us wishing that they were available back home in Jersey. They were DELICIOUS!

Once we wrapped up lunch, we made our way back toward the Dean Smith Center. No, we weren’t planning on any more photos just yet, but we wanted to scope out where our parking lot was located prior to tonight’s game.

Driving past the Dean Dome, we noticed freshman Tyler Nickel walking in the area. Of course, we had to stop and say hello, as Tyler was very kind and took some time to talk to us and take some pictures.

If you haven’t seen him play, just know this: he can flat-out shoot the basketball!

Back at the hotel, we stopped to visit one of the Graduate Hotel’s coolest features: the replica Michael Jordan room.

You truly feel as if you are in Jordan’s actual dorm room, as the room is exactly what we’ve seen in various pictures of the legendary UNC basketball player. From the CBS Sports banner to the flannel shirt and umbrella laying on the bed, you could just see Jordan himself standing there listening to his music and having a good time.

As cool as the first half of the day was, the nightcap found a way to top it!

It was raining hard in Chapel Hill as we entered the Dean Dome for the first time, but that didn’t bother us one bit. Personally, I was focused on finding my way to the court as soon as possible.

If I didn’t mention it already, North Carolina people are so nice. The people we met along the way helped make this weekend’s visit special.

Once we got into the arena, we went up to the first usher we saw to ask for assistance. We told him it was our first time there, as his response left us all shocked.

“Before you head on your way, go down the stairs here and go take some pictures on the court.”

Wait… what?!

I was truly shocked by his response, as I’m so used to the New Jersey/New York style of how stadiums and arenas work. However, I don’t think I ever went downstairs faster than the ones I rushed down in section 124 of the Dean Dome.

Not only did we get to take our picture on the court, but got to watch the Tar Heels’ entire warmups from the first row right next to where the UNC basketball players were.

At this rate, I was already over the moon with my experiences, even with the game still about 25 minutes away! Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, it somehow did.

I met the great Roy Williams.

I still can’t believe it, but it happened. The best part was, Roy was everything I hoped he’d be. If it wasn’t for the picture for visual proof, I still would think it was a dream.

Okay, now we get to game time, and I never have been more happy to hear the song “Jump Around.” Even for a non-conference game, the Dean Dome was ROCKING, as 20,000 people came out to root for the No.1 ranked Tar Heels.

North Carolina’s 6th Man/Arena Host BDaht got the crowd going early and often. Seeing him live in action shows just how valuable he is, as he provides an energy boost that not many programs can come close to.

Everything was great, until the UNC basketball program trailed by seven at the half with star Armando Bacot only scoring one point over the first 20 minutes of action.

Not going to lie- I sat during halftime and wondered: “Am I a jynx for my favorite team?!”

I promise, if they would’ve lost, I would’ve never stepped foot in the Dean Dome again. However, a dominant second half from Bacot and Caleb Love led the Tar Heels to a double-digit victory and biscuits for the fans.

Other than the first-half deficit, I don’t think you could’ve scripted my night any better.

We returned to the hotel and enjoyed some late-night McDonald’s, as we prepared for the next (and final day) of our trip to Chapel Hill.

Up next: another stop at Carmichael Arena, this time to see the UNC women’s basketball program live in action.