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sports20h ago
History: The Smith Center's Grand Opening
- The Dean E. Smith Center opened with UNC beating Duke 95-92 before a sellout crowd of about 21,000.
- Brad Daugherty led UNC with 23 points and 11 rebounds in the opening win.
- Duke despite the setback kept fighting, with Amaker and Alarie contributing significantly.
- Hale erupted with a game-high 28 points for UNC, fueling the comeback.
- The game featured backdoor cuts and a fast-paced, high-scoring affair.
- Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski faced technicals and fierce competition from UNC in the opener.
- UNC’s Hale and Lebo contributed double-digit scoring to support the win.
- The opening game served as a landmark moment, setting a tone for the Smith Center era.
- The game highlighted the enduring UNC-Duke rivalry and the broader move to modern arenas.
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