This weekend, The UNC Men’s Basketball team will play in the Sweet Sixteen for the 31st time in history. Now is the time to test out ridiculous ways to show your love for the Tar Heels. Throw caution and self-respect to the wind, wear that UNC tutu you’ve been keeping in the back of your closet, and you cheer your big blue heart out as you watch your 17 favorite ballers hoop to victory.
The ‘Heelraiser,’ a local legend. Photo: moonlightbulb/Flickr
1. For one who likes her accoutrements glittery and beda-Zeller-ed:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/94355852/custom-unc-tar-heel-glitter-mascot-go?ref=sr_gallery_7&sref=&ga_search_query=tar+heel&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
By day, you are the even keel everyfan. By night, you are … a really terrible throwback to the disco era. We had a pretty great team then, though, so this might be excusable:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/95587601/swarovski-crystal-carolina-blue-argyle?ref=sr_gallery_36&sref=
Count down the seconds until the next game with this ritzy watch: http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-mother-of-pearl-executive-two-tone-steel-ladies-watch
2. Ladies (and gentlemen), it’s time to recognize that Kendall Marshall, God bless his wrist, can’t marry all of you. Still, it’s possible for every bride to dress with a little bit (a lotta bit) of Tar Heel pride on her special day. For the one who made a pact with her significant other to go the distance if the Tar Heels do, too: collect them all (and holy wow are there a lot of options).
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61821013/university-of-north-carolina-wedding?ref=sr_gallery_3&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=garter+unc&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
4. The Martha Stewart Cooper: You have your ESPN updates sent to your phone. You practice chants between class. You dream about dancing with Roy’s expansive paisley tie collection (just me?). You flood Franklin Street when we win. And when it’s game time, you jump and holler and scream until your legs are as discombobulated as Duke when it played Lehigh. Being so consistently mentally and physically dedicated to a cause requires that you fuel yourself properly. Whip up something healthy wearing gear that mean business.
Because you are what you eat:
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-silicone-muffin-fanpan
The nerves get heightened ‘round this time of year. Keep your cool with these cubes:
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-silicone-fanpan-ice-cube-tray
If you spill something, wipe the floor with Duke:
5. Flatbed Pick-Up basketball, anyone? Some people consider their mode of transportation extensions of themselves. Dress up your trusty steed or Razr scooter with these eye-catching doodads. And don’t worry, if you love your team enough, you probably don’t care that they’re tacky. Or you could just paint your bike blue and call it a day.
A defense like ours could surely protect you during a crash:
http://www.fansedge.com/North-Carolina-Tar-Heels-Tire-Cover-_2008664862_PD.html
Like we need luck:
http://www.fansedge.com/North-Carolina-Tar-Heels-Fuzzy-Dice-_-316934027_PD.html
Like your love and devotion for the Tar Heels, this LED light too will never burn out. As long as you remember to replace the batteries regularly:
http://www.fansedge.com/North-Carolina-Tar-Heels-Power-Decal-Light-Up -Decal-_1688417434_PD.html
A risky option. Could make your car look like a hearse, could make you look like you’re going into battle:
http://www.fansedge.com/North-Carolina-Tar-Heels-Car-Flag-_-1189339997_PD.html
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-bike-jersey
6. Game Time. The moment of truth. Now is the moment you break out a UNC themed cape, crown, set of stilts and Carolina Blue hairdye. Or you could mix and match a few of the following.
Harrison’s Yarns:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89618975/fringe-scarf-carolina-blue-white-unc?ref=sr_gallery_28&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=unc&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Faccessories
Want to dress like your favorite player but can’t bring yourself to sacrifice your femininity? Try this:
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-Junior-Ladies-Sorority-Ruffle-Dress
For the ones painting up:
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-Game-Day-Two-Sided-Nail-Polish
The classiest possible way to drink a can of cheap beer, short of not drinking it:
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-Carolina%20Blue-can-cooler
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-Foam-Mascot-Head
You decided to stay home to watch the game? Probably a good thing, if you were planning on wearing these:
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-original-boot-slippers
You went to the game, but should have stayed home:
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-Striped-Game-Bibs-Adult-Overalls
The game is in the bag:
Just another way to REALLY show your undying devotion:
Proclaim your faith emphatically:
8. On the Job:
Medicine is an ironic industry made up of people who, while they devote their lives to improving the health of others, don’t have the opportunity to take much time for their own or their appearances. On top of regularly being on their feet for 32 hours, medical residents often have the least appealing clothing choices to see them through their days. Med students, in an effort to distract from the bags under their eyes and semi-permanent glazed expressions, can wear these darling yarmulke-like cloths on their heads. Whether or not it’s attractive, however, is still up for grabs, but they’re used to sacrificing style for comfort.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/95446046/bouffant-surgical-scrub-hat-university?ref=sr_gallery_2&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=unc+scrubs&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen:
http://www.tarheelplanet.com/unc-university-north-carolina-tar-heels-Classic-Chef-Coat
Basketball players are in great shape and, hopefully, flame-retardant:
9. The ‘Please keep these private’ section:
P.J.s for the P.J fan:
And let’s be honest, your boyfriend’s not a Ken-dall down there. (Sorry Mom). If you insist that he join you in your crusade to be the most visually expressive Tar Heel Fan, clothe his Reggie Bullocks (really, I’m so sorry Mom) with this absolute McA-don’t: