A sure-fire indicator that basketball season is here is Midnight Madness – a tradition started by former University of Maryland coach Lefty Dressel who in 1971 invited the public to attend the Terrapins’ first practice held at midnight on the first day teams could officially begin preparation for the upcoming season. 3,000 fans showed up and a tradition was born. Now, nearly every basketball program in the country celebrates the start of basketball season with a late night practice that’s open to the public. Through the years, schools have made it an event complete with dancing, games and music. Friday night, the Tar Heels put on a production. From former UNC National Player of the Year Antawn Jamison coming back to emcee the event, to the thousands of fans who nearly packed out the Dean Dome, excitement about the season was in the air.
Of course, it wasn’t all dancing and goofing around. The men’s and women’s basketball teams both played competitive scrimmages, giving fans a peek at what they will see on the court this season. Here are my Top 5 moments from Late Night with Roy:
Heel Toe:
Trust me, none of the Tar Heels will be winning Dancing with the Stars, but the attempt at entertaining the fans with choreographed routines was appreciated.
Rookies and Sophomores dance. There was some kinda of space theme here with the suits…I guess. pic.twitter.com/lrgL4yRxDM
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 12, 2018
Juniors and Seniors dance pic.twitter.com/C2k1tfGu70
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 13, 2018
Emotional Roy:
Roy Williams has never been a guy who is afraid to show his emotions. Tears were flowing as a video featuring current and former players talking about the court recently dedicated in his honor was shown.
Roy Williams has never been a guy who is afraid to show his emotions. pic.twitter.com/ucjX7H7P0q
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 13, 2018
Help Thy Neighbor:
From day one, the Tar Heel community has come together to assist Hurricane Florence relief efforts and Friday evening was no different. The Tar Heels held a four-minute transition drill. For every shot made, Roy Williams donated $200 to relief efforts. The Heels fell just short of their 120 goal (117 shots were made), but Coach Williams donated more than $20,000 to charity.
Tar Heels doing the 4 minute drill for Hurricane Florence relief efforts donations. pic.twitter.com/vNTESCQIb7
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 13, 2018
Roy Williams is personally donating $100 for every shot made during 4 minute drill to Hurricane Florence Relief. Total amount…$23,400. pic.twitter.com/ouCdZiWAbb
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 13, 2018
Freshmen Phemons:
There’s another school in the area who touts the best recruiting class in the nation, but the Tar Heel freshmen are no scrubs and although Nassir Little, Coby White and Leaky Black didn’t make a ton of shots, they definitely showed flashes talent and will be a fun group to watch.
Intros. pic.twitter.com/JmnAuzgKOU
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 12, 2018
Show off then… pic.twitter.com/ISOG8IBWu3
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 13, 2018
Skills Challenges:
The Tar Heels’ basketball team participated in several challenges. There was an egg race, a competition where players had to read the mouth of a teammate and pass the information on with music blasting in their ears, and of course a skills and three-point contest. There was never a moment when the crowd wasn’t being entertained.
Luke Maye 3-Point Shooting Contest pic.twitter.com/1FNmR3KPl2
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 13, 2018
???? Collision during the skills challenge pic.twitter.com/78Fy7D6fWA
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 13, 2018
Next up for the Tar Heels is an exhibition game against Mount Olive on November 2nd in the Dean Dome.
UNC Continues to Shine into the Final Stretch