Thousands of UNC fans welcome team home
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- It was packed outside the Dean Smith Center Tuesday afternoon as thousands of fans waited to see the Carolina Tar Heels return home from the NCAA championship game in Houston. Despite losing on a heartbreaking buzzer-beater, fans didn't miss the opportunity to support their team.
Chopper 11HD was overhead as the team's plane landed at RDU, and followed the buses all the way to Chapel Hill.
Fans waiting in Chapel Hill carried signs and a cheer went up when the players emerged from their bus.
Coach Roy Williams made an impromptu speech, praising the fans for coming out and the team for their hard work this season.
Watch the video below (video courtesy ACC).
"Just understand that we love you," Williams said to the crowd.
Some of the players spoke as well. "This has been the best four years of my life," said Brice Johnson, fighting back tears.
The team finished with a 33-7 record and won both the ACC Tournament and regular season title.
