As a lifelong Hokie, but long-time adopted Tar Heel (by employment), I find the constant Carolina-hate on these boards embarrassing. The Carolina-hater comes off as terribly uninformed, jealous, and just overall kind of pathetic. This is particularly the case now, where you are literally talking about a top-4 all-time basketball program, with an incredibly classy and likable head coach, and a very gritty, inspiring team this year. Any fan of the game (loyalties aside) should be able to appreciate the grit this year's Carolina squad has shown. They are also our conference peers, and I would have thought all Hokies would be behind Carolina against Kansas.

Carolina's athletic department is something we as Hokies aspire to become. Chapel Hill is the home to literally dozens of national championships across many sports. It seems to me that kind of excellence is what Whit and the whole athletics department in Blacksburg is aspiring to.

Whenever the Hokies play Carolina I am 100% for the Hokies. I've been to countless games here in Chapel Hill, always wearing my Hokie gear loud and proud. That said, as I've lived here for almost two decades, I've really come to admire UNC athletics and would certainly consider myself a Tar Heel as well. I'd also note that I've never been treated poorly wearing my maroon and orange. Sure, there are a few stupid/boorish fans here just as there are in the 'Burg. But by and large, I've been impressed as all get out by fan support here in Chapel Hill ... with the caveat that folks here are still trying to figure out how to be football fans ... conversations in Kenan tend to still be around how the basketball team will look later in the Fall :-)

I know the Carolina-haters will reply with something about cheating and all I can to say to that is you have no idea what you are talking about. Yes, Butch Davis was dirty and was promptly run out of town. And yes, there was an embarrassing academic scandal that has left scars on this campus to this day. But hating on Roy Williams? Hubert Davis? Again, if you think they are cheats, you truly don't have a clue.

So go on, Carolina-haters, keep ragging on UNCheat or whatever, but just know that you sound kind of pitiful, like a sniveling, envious little brother. I think Hokies should be better than that. I think most Hokies are better than that.

And to the original point about Tar Heels Monday night. No one felt safe up 15. The loss was crushing, but I've heard zero whining and zero criticism of the team for losing. ZERO. In fact, the team was greeted as heroes yesterday when they got back to campus. No, folks around here are still thrilled this team, considered a bubble team a month ago, made it to the Final Four and sent Coach K to retirement the Carolina way. They are thrilled by the amazing grit of the team. Bacot playing on one foot. Manek taking elbows the face. Puff Johnson coming of the bench and playing the game of his life, bent over puking on the floor. Folks are celebrating what was, and that to me epitomizes a great, mature fan base.