The UNC basketball program's victory over Wake Forest was a milestone win, marking the 500th time that the Tar Heels have been victorious at the historic Dean Smith Center.
We've all been part of the history of the Smith Center, witnessing some of the greatest moments in UNC basketball history live in action (whether in person or through a television screen). If you asked 100 Tar Heel fans what their favorite memory of the Smith Center is, it's guaranteed that you'll likely get a wide-range of answers, as the memories (and wins) all hold a special place in our hearts.
Following win No. 500 at the Dean Smith Center, the UNC basketball program released an incredible tribute video that takes you down memory lane. Narrated by Seth Trimble, it's provides a student-athlete viewpoint of the facility, from the quietness of the empty gym during practice to the rowdiness that 21,000 fans bring every time the Tar Heels take the floor at home.
Trust us, the video will give you chills!
500 wins in the Smith Center 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zadOS9I20l
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) January 11, 2026
Trimble's message is clear. While the student-athletes come and go, the fans remain the constant. Regardless of who is playing on the court, the fans have been just as much involved in the success that the UNC basketball program has had, especially considering that fans raised the money to build the venue in the first place.
While win No. 500 is a monumental one, it's another reminder that the program hopes a lot more wins at this historic venue are coming. Even with all the talk about possibly relocating the home of the UNC basketball program, no one can take away all the history that has occurred on that big piece of land, as the Dean Smith Center has served as home for so many of us for the last 40 years.
Here's to 500+ wins more and 40+ years of more memories for all of us!