The gates to the Smith Center opened at 6 p.m. but Kensleigh Ables, a sophomore pre-business major from Wilmington, N.C. had been in line with her friends since 4 p.m. They were in line for the much-anticipated "Late Night with Roy" event, which kicks off the UNC basketball season.
For some students, it was their first time at the event.
But for others, Late Night represents the start of one of their favorite UNC traditions.
Sarah Evelyn Hicks, a senior political science and economics double major, was at Late Night with her friend Marie Payne, a senior exercise and sports science major. Both of them had been to Late Night their past three years at Carolina.
"We’ve come all three years," Hicks said. "I’m looking forward to seeing how the new team plays together.”
Payne said that, although they had been before, this event was special.
“It is special, because we’re graduating,” Payne said. “We can always come back to here after we graduate, but this is the last time we get to come here as students.”
Izzie Hirschy is a sophomore political science major from Cary. Hirschy said she was not able to come last year, but had heard a lot of good things.
“I’m optimistic," Hirschy said. "I have a lot of faith in the Tar Heels and Roy so I think we’ll do well.”
