Green gets Heels going -- right from the jump

CHAPEL HILL -- Most college basketball games begin with a big man jumping at midcourt.

But at North Carolina, they open with a sixth man dancing in front of the bench.

Junior Danny Green's high-hopping, torso-twisting, jersey-plucking moves to House of Pain's "Jump Around" have become a superstitious staple of the top-ranked Tar Heels' undefeated season -- and a popular ritual among Tar Heels fans and teammates.

"You can't help but watch," said point guard Ty Lawson, who will sneak his usual peek as he takes position for the tip-off against Maryland (11-7, 1-2 ACC) today. "You never know what Danny's going to do."

The moves actually predate this season. Green and teammate Mike Copeland first started head-bobbing as freshmen. As sophomores, the two became epicenters of a pregame "Jump Around" circle in front of the bench.

"But this year," said sophomore Will Graves, "D.G. has taken it to a whole other level."

As the music is cued and the starters walk toward midcourt, the show begins when the self-dubbed "hype men" -- such as Graves, Copeland and Quentin Thomas -- start shimmying with Green in front of the bench. Freshman Greg Little, also a tailback for the football team, often serves as the opening act, jumping and jamming in front of the rest.

And then it's time for the solo, a yet-to-be-officially-named Danny Dance, an unscripted cacophony that reaches its pinnacle when Green leaps in time with the "Jump! Jump! Jump!" refrain, and his teammates pluck his jersey from behind. He put some extra power into his leaps last Saturday against N.C. State, Green said, "because we like to add something new for big games."

"It's not something we plan; it's whatever we come up with on the floor," said Green, adding that the reserves are careful to get seated as soon as the ball is tipped. "I don't really think about it ahead of time."

The only constant: coach Roy Williams' laughing expression, and the crowd's roar.

"I enjoy kids having fun, I think Danny has fun with it, I think the kids in the end zone [crowd] particularly enjoy it," said Williams. "So for me, I enjoy anything that gets a little bit more enthusiasm, people tapping their feet a little bit more, standing up. I like that part of it."

Graves thinks the routine has gained notoriety, and YouTube hits, "because it looks so funny."

But Green's on-the-court performances have helped, as well; this year, he's one of the top sixth men in the nation, averaging 11 points and 7.2 rebounds. (And during his lone start this year, he made sure to get a few moves in as he walked onto the court, as well.)

Referees don't always enjoy the routine as much as the crowd, however. At Kentucky earlier this season, where the Wildcats also use House of Pain's 1992 hit single as their preamble, Green and Co. were told to take a seat when they started their leaps.

But at the Smith Center, Green said, "Coach Williams talks to them and tells them it's something we do every game; he really goes to bat for us."

And for good reason.

The only time Green hasn't danced at the Smith Center the past two seasons was last Feb. 13 versus Virginia Tech, because someone lost the music.

It's the only time during that span UNC (18-0, 3-0) has lost at home.