UNC will host a Final Four viewing party at the Smith Center on Saturday, where both semifinal games — UConn/Michigan State at about 6:07 p.m., then UNC/Villanova at about 8:47 p.m. — will be shown on a large projection screen and the arena's video boards.
Entrance A will be open to UNC students, faculty and staff with a valid UNC One card, beginning at 5 p.m.The general public can enter at 5:30 p.m. Concessions and Final Four merchandise will be on sale.
Parking is $5 in the Manning, Bowles, Craige and RamsHead parking lots. The UNC Basketball Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If UNC advances to the NCAA title game, doors will open Monday at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., respectively.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
igliigli what a boorish
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 12:52 — richlifeigliigli what a boorish statement. In addition to what is said above, the taxpayers will probably get a payback in the form of the extra parking fees! Grow up and get a life.
My wife and I went to the 1993 Final viewing and Franklin St. melee (50000+). What an extraordinary experience! The walk across campus with the jubilant fans remains the most enjoyable I ever had. Franklin St. is a crush, so be prepared to be pushed around (inadvertanly).
Nice Try
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 06:51 — TarheelJayYour comment on wasting tax payer's money strikes a very funny chord when you stop to remember that when UNC wanted to build the Smith Center, the General Assembly refused to fund it. That being said, UNC hired Skipper Bowles to raise private funds to pay for it. All he did was over achieve to the extent that the swimming complex also got funded! I'm QUITE sure the funding for the events this weekend are coming from the Athletic Department which gets it's funding from student fees and donations from the Ram's club, coupled with money received from TV revenue. If the University "allows" CBS to have cameras in the Smith Center for "look-ins" they will pay for the right, thus off-setting the costs for hosting the event. Don't be jealous of UNC for the excellence! The general assembly DID pay for NCSU's part of their arena, and that coupled with the hockey money is why NCSU doesn't even control their on home floor, but has to conform to other constraints! We are PROUD of the "Dean Dome" and reserve the right to use it to celebrate yet ANOTHER final four!
I went in 2005, and it was
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 21:33 — psh0117I went in 2005, and it was an awesome time, went down to Franklin Street afterwards. It's a great expereince if you're a UNC fan. I will probably go again this year.
Final Four viewing party set
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 18:20 — igliigliWhat a sickening waste of taxpayer money.
What an idiot. How is it
Mon, 04/06/2009 - 09:45 — GoHeels1984What an idiot. How is it a "Sickening waste of tax payer money?" Do you not think those fans drive to Chapel Hill, buy things, take the buses, eat, drink, buy t shirts, support the University and the UNC system? You are an idiot! What a great tax revenue generator for the state of NC!!!! What, do they not charge sales taxes? Dumb idiot!
Is that so?
Wed, 04/01/2009 - 18:51 — JPDOhioThere a thousands of things across the country that billions in taxpayer money is being wasted on. If this is a waste, at least it is one the general public gets to enjoy if they so choose.