In possibly the greatest #throwbackthursday announcement this year, UNC basketball announced that it will host Wofford next season in Carmichael Arena.
Carmichael Arena was the former home of the Tar Heels before the Dean E. Smith Center was opened in 1986. UNC has played once in Carmichael Arena since then — a win over William & Mary in the NIT in 2010.
“Carmichael brings back great memories of my first eight years as an assistant to Coach Smith and the exciting game we played against William and Mary in 2010,” said UNC head coach Roy Williams in a statement. “Wofford will bring an outstanding team and the environment will be electric. I’m sure it will be a tough ticket to get and a special day for everyone who is lucky enough to be there for that game.”
UNC fans quickly took to social media to applaud the move, calling it a great throwback to the glory days of Dean Smith, Michael Jordan and other famous Tar Heel basketball players. Fans also pointed out that Carmichael Arena used to be called Carmichael Auditorium — and some petitioned for the university to change the name back for the game.
Those who were there know. A rectangle of light illuminated the court. Perfect intimate size.
I saw @MagicJohnson, @DWilkins21, @RalphSampson50, @Jumpman23, @JamesWorthy42, @TheJetOnTNT, Len Bias, @Neilyoung, @TheClash, met Prince, @SisterSledge_. Snuck into the locker room… https://t.co/bSDsfCamzh
— Drew Dellinger (@drewdellinger) July 11, 2019
What do you say, @UNC_Basketball? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/e5kndzCSg6
— WCHL & Chapelboro (@WCHLChapelboro) July 12, 2019
What is the Carmichael Arena you speak of? I lived in Winston Dorm and there was a Carmichael Auditorium across the street😀 https://t.co/BQYA3GHKnT
— Byron Raines (@byronraines) July 12, 2019
December 15th
vs Wofford
Carmichael ArenaNow that is awesome. #TarHeelNation
— Tar Heel Takeover (@TarH33LTakeover) July 11, 2019
Fans of UNC were not the only ones to react to this news. Current and former players got in on the fun on UNC basketball’s Instagram post, but not all of them were happy with the news.
“We couldn’t do this while i played??” said Kenny Williams, who recently signed a free agent deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
“I’m salty y’all are doing this now!” commented Brice Johnson.
“Only right we wear the short shorts and old school jerseys,” commented five-star freshman Armando Bacot. Shea Rush agreed with him, saying “I think we need the throwback jerseys for this…”
Former UNC star Sean May — who now works with the Tar Heels as the director of basketball operations — seemed to confirm Bacot’s theory, saying “That’s what we working on slim.”
Cole Anthony, the gem of UNC’s latest recruiting class, had perhaps the simplest approach with “👀👀👀” as his response.
I went to UNC 70-74. Missed only four games while there. Was at the infamous 8 pt rally with 17 seconds left at Carmichael. I have one of the original seats from there when they redid the place in my garage. Lots of great games in that place. In 1974 against NC State i think the place was standing most of the game. As well, as when they played South Carolina with John Roche and Kevin Joyce .
Bring back all the Tar Heels who played in Carmichael Auditorium. Oh what a night that would be.