CHAPEL HILL — The Dean E. Smith Center will celebrate its 40-year anniversary on Jan. 18, 2026.

Named for UNC basketball ’s legendary coach who led the program to a pair of national championships, the “Dean Dome” has become one of the bucket-list destinations in the sport.

The 21,750-seat arena overwhelms the senses with its Carolina blue seats and a seemingly-endless amount of banners and retired/honored jerseys. Entering the 2025-26 season at the venue, the Tar Heels won 84.5% of their games at the Smith Center. In 16 of those seasons, UNC lost one or no games on its home court.

It’s tough to narrow down a list of top games, but here are 10 of the most memorable wins at the Smith Center in chronological order.

UNC vs Duke, 1986

Any list of top games at the Smith Center has to includ

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