Live blog from Franklin Street

The N&O’s Jessika Morgan is live blogging from the scene on and around Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street during UNC’s Monday night NCAA tournament title game against Villanova.

Here’s what’s happening:

11:08 p.m.

“Focus! FOCUS!”

“I can’t look right now.”

“Stay with them, Tar Heels. Let’s go.”

The fans were on edge as Villanova takes a 10-point lead.

They were holding up spirit fans as Carolina went to the line. They rearranged themselves into their first-half positions to see if that would help.

The edge eased when UNC fought back, and now they’re just waiting to see what happens.

10:45 p.m.

One Carolina fan held his head against the wall when a Villanova 3-pointer gave the Wildcats a lead.

The fans were silent when Nova tied the game but erupted when UNC scored to respond.

Earlier, a Michael Jordan interview drew many cheers, as dozens of Carolina blue Jordan jerseys punctuate the thick crowds.

Fans settle during commercial breaks but jump right back into the action when the game resumes.

9:55 p.m.

Fans are going wild over UNC’s three-point shooting, a flurry that caught fire with three consecutive corner triples.

When a Tar Heel player sets up from deep, several fans hold up the three-point hand and go nuts when it drops.

With more fans piling in, there’s only standing room – someone is even doing their homework as they watch the game.

9:40 p.m.

Tar Heels were slapping the wall and groaning at UNC mishaps – a couple missed shots and rebounds, giving up a Villanova 3-pointer. They are anxiously waiting for the tide to turn as the Wildcats go up 14-9, and Brice Johnson gave it to them when he finished an alley-oop dunk and next converted an and-1.

The fans were right back into the game, already debating over calls and no-calls.

Some were sitting at a table, but moved the table and pulled in bench from outside for more seating room in front of the television.

Fans walking Franklin Street stopped by the clear windows to celebrate and those inside reciprocated in wailing arms and cheers.

9:30 p.m.

A series of groans and moans and oohs and aahs have highlighted the first few minutes of the national championship game in Chapel Hill. Joel Berry’s 3-pointer to open scoring gave fans a reason to let out the celebratory screams they’d wanted to unleash through the first couple of possessions.

One late comer ran through a narrow alley screaming “Let’s go, Tar Heels.”

Excited fans continue to tweet and Snapchat through the opening minutes. Mostly everyone has on some form of Tar Heel paraphernalia. Tar Heels down 11-9.

8:52 p.m.

A wave of applause is starting through Ms. Mong Restaurant as game time approaches. People have their food and drinks and have found their friends.

Many Tar Heels fans even put their right hands over their heart and sung along to the national anthem.

People are still trying to figure out from which tables they’ll enjoy the game. They’re also making last-second phone calls to friends at other places, letting them know where they are as we’re minutes from tipoff.

Fans cheer loudly as one final commercial break airs before they see their Tar Heels fight for a national championship.

8:30 p.m.

Fans are squeezing into any bar or restaurant on Franklin Street they can find that will allow entrance 30 minutes before the 9:19 p.m. national championship game starts. Some have been planted in their seats since 11 a.m. Carolina blue is raving Downtown in Chapel Hill.

Some UNC fans have found their way into Ms. Mong Restaurant, a place serving Mongolian food, burritos and beer, to watch their beloved Tar Heels take on No. 2 Villanova for the title.

Inside the place at 163 E. Franklin St., long chants of “Tar Heels” erupted once all the televisions were in sync to the pregame show.

“Let’s go, Heels!” fans are shouting.

This story was originally published April 4, 2016 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Live blog from Franklin Street."