Reflecting on the Dean E. Smith Center's history and its uncertain future

Posted Jan 27, 2025
The date was Jan. 18, 1986. The occasion could not have been bigger, nor could it have been scripted any better. Undefeated, top-ranked North Carolina was about to square off against undefeated, third-ranked Duke. It was the first game in the brand-new Dean E. Smith Center. A crowd of 21,444 packed the arena. Their excitement and noise filled the air. (Daily Tar Heel)

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