Willenzik said Might As Well will not be accepting walk-ins on Saturday.
Bret Oliverio, owner of Sup Dogs, said that while the days leading up to Saturday have been intense, hosting fans for such a significant event is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Sup Dogs will be closed to those without reservations starting Saturday at 6 p.m. Going on eight years of business, Oliverio said the restaurant specializes in the chaos of big events and games.
“Anything and everything gets cheered,” he said. “People are chanting, and it sort of all culminates when the clock hits zero and everyone storms out to rush Franklin St.”
If UNC beats Duke in the Final Four game, Sup Dogs will reopen after the Franklin Street rush.
University events
On Saturday night, the Dean E. Smith Center will host a watch party open to the public, according to a Go Heels press release.
The event will be free of charge to UNC students, faculty, staff and general fans. Entry A will be open at 5:30 p.m. for UNC affiliates with a One Card, and at 5:45 p.m. for the general public.
Parking will be available for $5 at the Craige, Manning and Bowles parking lots starting at 4:30 p.m. Disability parking will be available at the Williamson lot for the same price. All parking transactions are cashless.
“This is something that we’re able to do and provide an opportunity for those that can’t make the trip to a Final Four site,” assistant athletic director Gary Paczesny said. “(It is) an opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the game with their friends and their family.”
Paczesny said the game will be broadcasted on the screens located in the corners of the stadium. There will be an extra screen set up on one side of the court — but the exact location is to be determined.
Sam Pell, a sophomore at UNC, said he is planning on joining his friends for a watch party at the Smith Center.
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“It’s where they play most of the time — it’s kind of like that atmosphere,” he said.
Students and the public will fill the seating areas of the stadium but will not be allowed on the court, Paczesny said.
Concessions and merchandise will be available during the watch event.
“They can come down and enjoy the Smith Center and all the things that go on with a game at Carolina,” he said.
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