So, this week I got some of my friends to tell me about their Final Four experience. While this game obviously did NOT go the way I wanted it to (the first half alone was disturbing to Tar Heels everywhere!), my friends had some interesting experiences and even better pictures!

Torie (far left), Senior, UNC

I watched the game at my friend Matt’s. There was a group of about 20 of us piled into a tiny den and crowded around a big screen TV to watch the big game. We ordered pizza and bought a keg. Everyone was really excited, but the atmosphere was intense because we all knew what a big game it was. We could hear lots of other people in the neighboring apartments cheering along with us, so it was definitely a fun, memorable experience even though we lost the game.

Paige, Junior, UNC

Saturday in general was a crazy experience. All day town was completely chaotic, there was no parking ANYWHERE on or off campus. Even the hippies at Whole Foods were in on the Tarheel madness–there were sky blue cupcakes and cookies galore. Possessed fans started swarming toward the Dean Dome at around 6 and of course these fans did not realize they were impeding my studying ability with their yelling at 6:00 (I live in Ram’s Village). Unfortunately, for the actual game I had the grave responsibility of being the “sober contact” for the Senior Final FOURmal. While I would much rather have been sitting in my apartment in sweatpants with a pint of Chunky Monkey, I had to put on a cocktail dress and heels and go to the Carolina Club. The first half of the game I checked people’s IDs to make sure they were 21 (sort of a moot point when they’re all seniors) and the second half I spent with my two roommates, Jennifer and Anne. As the half progressed, we began to have a small amount of hope, and then I really began wishing I hadn’t volunteered to be the only sober person there. Directly after the game, I ate around 9 chocolate covered strawberries and spun around the dance floor to “Carolina Girls” with my fabulous friend, Jonathan. The picture was taken right after we lost, and pretty must epitomizes the mood of the gathering at that point…though most people drowned their sorrow in more lethal substances than chocolate covered strawberries. Overall, it was an interesting Final Four experience, I’m sincerely hoping my sweatpants will forgive my abandonment and welcome me home and us to victory next year.

Rachel (far right), Freshman, UNC

I watched the game at Chapel Hill in a friend’s apartment. A lot of my friends from high school came from other colleges to watch the game. It was really good to see them, even though we lost. I was very disappointed we weren’t able to rush Franklin Street!

Sarah Ann, pictured with her fiance Jeremey during a football game, Senior, UNC

I actually flew to Philadelphia on Friday morning and got to see all the UNC fans decked out in their Carolina blue at the RDU airport who were going to San Antonio for the big game! It was great to see such an awesome fan base making the trip to support the Tar Heels! Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it back to Chapel Hill Saturday night for the Final Four game but I did watch it at home in Raleigh with my parents and fiancé. We ordered pizza and watched the embarrassing showing of UNC basketball versus Kansas. The first half of the game was hard to watch because we all knew that’s not how Carolina plays. It was definitely exciting to watch them make a comeback to within four points!! We really thought they were going to pull through and win it. It was definitely disappointing. But, even though the Tar Heels didn’t advance to the championship game, they did have a great season! Sad though that we won’t be celebrating a national championship game on Monday night. Still, as always, GO HEELS!

Katherine, Junior, UGA

Being that I go to the University of Georgia, I don’t have many fellow Carolina fans…sad! I made sure to wear my Carolina gear all around campus on Friday to show my support. My roomate Brittany was nice enough to watch the game with me on Saturday night. I was devastated that we lost, but we still had fun watching it. GO HEELS!!!

Ryan, UNC ‘07, Navy Officer

*Katie’s note: Ryan didn’t include an explanation of his Final Four evening. However, I did want to explain the picture. This lucky UNC grad got to watch the game IN SAN ANTONIO!!! Talk about a true fan!

Kelly, Junior, UNC

I watched the game at my friends house with a group of about 15 other UNC students. We had a keg and pizza and two TVs to watch the game on. We piled on the floor the stairs and each others laps holding hands when things got close. We were all very depressed at the loss but that didn’t keep us from going to Franklin Street after!

Katie (I’m on the left, Kelly’s on the right), Junior, UNC

Well, all my friends shared their stories so I thought I would tell show you what I did. I spent this disappointing evening with Kelly and some of our friends. Here are a couple pictures of my night!!

Regardless of the final score, all I have to say is GO HEELS!!!