NCAA Tournament 2017: 10 best moments from opening weekend

Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wichita State Shockers guard Daishon Smith (2) controls the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Dominique Hawkins (25) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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GREENVILLE, SC – MARCH 19: Duane Notice /

5. Tobacco Road Rivalry Bleeds South

Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils failed to make the Sweet 16, falling to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Second Round. Many fans have cried foul over having the No. 2 seed having to play South Carolina in a “home game” for the latter in Greenville, SC after the games were moved from Greensboro, NC due to North Carolina’s controversial House Bill 2 legislation.

Disregarding the fact that Greenville is roughly 1.5 hours driving away from South Carolina’s campus in addition to the fact that Duke has a larger national fanbase and is just 3.5 hours driving away from Greenville, it might not have been the Gamecocks fans making the most noise or filling up the most seats in the arena. Rather, the crowd was largely comprised of North Carolina Tar Heels fans who hung around to cheer against Duke.

You know, fans like this guy and his desire to unite the Carolinas for one night:

This UNC fan holding a South Carolina towel as they play Duke is why college basketball is the best. pic.twitter.com/kdtrUreSLE
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 20, 2017

Even if the salt is still prevalent for Duke fans about the location, seeing the vaunted Tobacco Road rivalry on display in the NCAA Tournament is something that’s incredibly fun. The North Carolina-Duke doesn’t require an introduction, but it’s still enjoyable to see it when it’s in full-force. This was one of those moments on a national stage, Tar Heels fans staying to cheer against their biggest rivals.

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