CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Tar Heel fans did not hold back on the victory party after their team beat Duke for the second time this season.
For these fans, winning a second time is just as sweet, maybe even sweeter, as they end the regular season as ACC champions.
Franklin Street filled with fans immediately after the horn sounded, sealing their victory, and chants of “Tar Heels” and cheers echoed down the road.
“It’s just a tradition behind it. Like the culture, everyone, there’s so much school pride,” said senior Evy Hochstein of the celebration.
Students said this is one of the biggest — if not the biggest — rivalry in college sports. Winning against Duke twice is cause for extra celebration, and some fans say winning a close game is even better.
“We blew them out in the first half, obviously, but keeping it close the whole time, it’s just so exciting to watch that we’re always on the tip of our, we’re always on our toes, like you never know what’s going to happen,” said Hochstein. “Blood pressure is always high. So it’s just like we keep it exciting, we keep it new, we keep it fresh. And because of that, the rivalry just doesn’t die. It’s not possible for it to die.”
Several UNC students are born and raised on Tar Heel sports, and this is about continuing that legacy.
“Tar Heel born, bred, dead. Been celebrating them for the past 22 years of my life,” Hochstein said.
“I mean, I grew up here in Chapel Hill and it’s just amazing just being a part of this since I was a little kid,” said James Carey, student.
After Saturday night, this is far from the last win fans are expecting to see.
“Yeah, we sealed the deal. And now we’re heading into the ACC tournament. Then we’re going to win the national championship in the NCAA,” Carey said.
Tar Heel fans were definitely riding high on the excitement of the win Saturday night and excited to see what’s next for their team.