UNC: It's Always Too Early To Move on from a Championship Win

(Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images)

At first glance, everything seems normal on Franklin Street. Students are on their way to class, high schoolers are in town for a field trip, and people are running a few errands during their lunch break.

But at a closer glance, something just isn't right. Maybe it's that the signs for Franklin Street and South Columbia have been torn down. Maybe it's the abnormally large crowds pouring in and out of Chapel Hill Sportswear.

Or maybe it's the fact that the majority of people on Franklin Street are wearing brand new National Championship T-shirts.

It was two days ago that the Tar Heels won the NCAA Men's Basketball National Title, but basketball is never old news in Chapel Hill.

Silences between fans are filled with the phrase, "I can't believe this really happened."

Tar Heels of all ages stand on Franklin Street's sidewalk just looking at the road. Monday night, they couldn't see the pavement—they could only see the throng of fans cheering, hugging, and jumping over bonfires.

And while basketball season is officially over and a new banner will hang from the ceiling of the Smith Center, it is too soon for everything to return to normal.

Students talk to each other about rushing Franklin Street. Professors talk to their classes about Carolina's victory.

A line of community members pours out the front door of The Daily Tar Heel's office, with everyone waiting to purchase a copy (or three) of UNC's student paper. And the checkout woman at Harris Teeter wants to know how much I got my championship T-shirt for.

There is a new sense of community in Chapel Hill, and it is built on basketball.

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