University of North Carolina Athletics
Detroit A Spartan-Friendly Zone
April 3, 2009 | Men's Basketball
April 3, 2009
As you've probably heard on national television reports and stories, it's a very big deal that Michigan State advanced to the Final Four in Detroit. What you might not realize if you're not in Detroit is how passionate the people here are about the Spartans. Any local television report about the Final Four includes a reference to cheering for MSU, and one local television anchor began her report on NCAA Hoop City yesterday by wearing a green Spartan t-shirt. The hordes of fans expected to descend on Detroit are likely to be a major financial boon for a city that needs it.
Several other schools have been in similar situations with playing Final Four games near their campus. Interestingly, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski said playing in Charlotte didn't matter in 1994, perhaps because a friendlier setting would have been the Meadowlands, but a couple other coaches had different opinions. Of course, the Tar Heels have first-hand experience with this phenomenon in the Final Four, as Illinois had a large contingent of fans in St. Louis in 2005.
TarHeelBlue.com will have coverage from UNC's open practice and press conferences late this afternoon. After also practicing at Ford Field yesterday, the Tar Heels are scheduled to hold their open practice today at 3:10.
