North Carolina Midnight Madness
My Intro to Marketing professor at the University of Florida once noted that the greatest brands can be recognized with only a color (or pair of colors) and a simple image. He referenced Coca-Cola as the primary example. All it takes is the color red and the silhouette of a glass bottle for people to instantly associate the visual with Coke.
Perhaps the closest thing that exists in college basketball is a an outline of a dunking player set against a light shade of blue (or as you’ve already inferred just by reading half of this sentence, “Carolina blue”).
It’s that easy to conjure up iconic images of Michael Jordan and Dean Smith. To remember “The Shot.” To envision the multiple national championship banners hanging from the rafters.
I arrived in Chapel Hill on a Friday morning for Saturday’s football clash against Miami, but I couldn’t miss the Carolina Basketball Museum while I was in town.
The museum contained tons of artifacts highlighting North Carolina’s success on the hardwood, while featuring the many individual accomplishments of its players, both in college and in the NBA.
On Friday evening, I also couldn’t miss UNC’s Live Action, the modern day equivalent to the “Midnight Madness” tradition of old. I paid $10 to park in a lot adjacent to the Dean Smith Center for the otherwise free event.
The exterior is fairly drab compared to the plantation-style architecture that dominates campus, while still having an impressive enough facade to feel like a hallowed venue.
Inside, the concourses were well-decorated with Carolina hoops accomplishments and the concessions were organized efficiently, with common items (hot dogs, drinks, etc.) set up to grab-and-go.
The seating bowl featured modern lighting and a sound system that was put to use early and often. There was no central jumbotron, instead replaced by large video boards in each corner — only one of which was operational on the sideline opposite where I sat. The numerous banners hanging from the rafters were just as impressive as expected.
The women’s team took part first, with the men’s squad scrimmaging afterwards. By the time the men’s portion began, the lower bowl was pretty close to full for what amounts to a loud practice, a testament to the devotion of these fans (BBN: no need to say it. Y’all fill Rupp. We get it).
There was a campy cheesiness to the production of the event, complete with a family-friendly DJ to hype up the crowd, but the excitement for the return of Carolina hoops was genuine.
While the colored chairback seats give the arena a very Carolina-blue hue, it’s not as harsh on the eyes as some other colors might be. The midcourt logo — an outline of the state — is likewise overdone, but not obnoxiously so.
As practice for both players and fans alike, the scrimmages included full-scale player introductions and regular crowd participation songs like Swag Surfin’ and Jump Around.
The scrimmage made clear that returning veteran stars Armando Bacot and RJ Davis are known quantities that will lead the team. Beyond that, freshman guard Elliot Cadeau also appeared to be an immediate contributor. Guys like Cormac Ryan, Harrison Ingram, Jae’Lyn Withers, and freshman Hayden High all showed flashes of potential, but at least 2-3 of them will need to step up for Carolina to be nationally competitive.
Based on what I saw, the roster lacks the overall depth of talent of past North Carolina teams that have made deep tourney runs. The star power at the top and the collective experience of returning guys and transfers makes this a team that should compete for the ACC, but I think that lack of depth could hurt them come March. I know that’s a lot of projection from only one early-fall scrimmage, but what’s the internet without hot takes?
Either way, it was great to finally see the iconic Dean Dome in person, even if only for a scrimmage.
CFB Travel Guy 