There are a lot of contentious issues on campus right now, but one of the most contentious revolves around the future home of UNC men’s basketball. With the Smith Center in need of costly repairs, UNC officials have been exploring the possibility of building a new arena somewhere else, possibly at Carolina North. But many in the campus community are pushing back, and calling for UNC to renovate the current Dean Dome and keep the team there. (An online petition now has more than 36,000 signatures.)
Aaron welcomes Rusty Carter, a former UNC trustee who’s heading up the “Renovate Don’t Relocate” initiative.
Visit RenovateSmithCenter.org to learn more about the effort.
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'This is a Loud Voice': Former UNC Trustee Discusses Push to 'Renovate, Don't Relocate' Dean Smith CenterThere are many contentious issues currently being discussed on the UNC campus. But perhaps none are more contentious than the state of the Dean Smith Center and its future. Decision-makers at UNC have reportedly been pushing for a new basketball arena on a parcel of land known as Carolina North, located on the former Horace […]
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Chansky's Notebook: Time for a Change?There are ample reasons why UNC needs a new basketball arena to replace the nearly 40-year-old Dean Smith Center.
Chansky's Notebook: There When WE Need It!Duke still has never witnessed the wine-and-cheese crowd. A few years ago, before his team made its annual visit to the Dean Dome, Mike Krzyzewski wondered aloud about all the talk of the actual cheese-and-wine tag hung on UNC’s home fans by former Florida State star Sam Cassell. “Don’t know what it is, we’ve never […]
ESPN College GameDay to Visit UNC Before Feb. 7 Game vs. DukeESPN College GameDay, the network’s flagship college basketball studio show, will broadcast live from the Dean Smith Center the morning of Feb. 7 before the Tar Heels host rival Duke that evening. SEE YOU SOON 🗣️ @CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/al7eFPNPLi — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) January 31, 2026 The broadcast will begin at 10 a.m. on the Smith […]
Student Seating, Fan Experience, Wins: UNC Chancellor Comments on Dean Smith Center's FutureUNC Chancellor Lee Roberts addressed members of the media during the most recent meeting of the university’s Board of Trustees Thursday. During his comments, Roberts addressed speculation surrounding the future of the Dean Smith Center, home of the UNC men’s basketball program. Below are Roberts’ full comments on the arena: There is a commitment on […]
Chansky's Notebook: Here's the PlanUNC has already paid millions to so-called consultants about options for the Smith Center, which you and I could submit for free.
Chansky's Notebook: Save the Dean Dome!Though no announcement has been made, it sure looks like UNC chancellor Lee Roberts is leaning toward building an off-campus basketball arena.
Chansky's Notebook: The Dean Dome's Greatest GamesArt Chansky remembers some of UNC's greatest games ever played in the Dean Smith Center, which opened in 1986.
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