Since 1986, the Dean Smith Center has been the proud home of the UNC basketball program.
Not only has it served as home, but has been a venue of great success, as Tar Heel fans from all over have gathered in Chapel Hill to witness many UNC basketball victories at the Dean Dome. In fact, the program's overall record at the venue is at an elite level, as there hasn't been many losses within the facilities for the guys in Carolina Blue over the past 40 seasons.
The next victory that occurs at the Dean Smith Center will mean a little more, serving as an incredible milestone for one of the most iconic venues in all of sports.
One away from 500
With their victory over Florida State on Tuesday night, the UNC basketball program captured its 499th career victory at the Dean Smith Center. Heading into the new year, the Tar Heels hold an outstanding 499-90 record on their home floor, including a 258-71 record in ACC play.
One more victory gets them to that 500-wins milestone, another indicator of just how much success the program has had in this building.
When will it happen?
The UNC basketball program won't have many opportunities to play at home over the next few weeks, as three of their next four games are true road games.
However, the Tar Heels' next opportunity to win No. 500 at the Dean Smith Center will be on January 10 as they welcome Wake Forest into town.
Other than their clash with the Demon Deacons, the Tar Heels will only have one other home contest during the month of January. That game will be on January 21 against Notre Dame, so if the Tar Heels can't find a way to win either of those games (which would be a whole other issue in itself), their next opportunity at another home win wouldn't come until the early portion of February.
The hope is that we can celebrate win No. 500 at the Dean Smith Center on January 10.