Michael Jordan crossed-up again, says 'ceiling is the roof'

March 6 (UPI) -- It's no coincidence that on this date 20 years ago, Michael Jordan was crossed-up by Allen Iverson.

He was also still feeling it from crossing up his words on Saturday. Jordan spoke during a ceremony at halftime of North Carolina's win against Duke. His words were still fresh in the Twitter-verse on Monday.

He was making the announcement that his Jordan brand is set to sponsor the Tar Heels' football team, when he goofed, blurring a few cliches into one awkward phrase.

As he was finishing up his speech and ready to hand off the microphone to Tar Heels football coach Larry Fedora, Jordan said: ""I wish you guys nothing but the best. The ceiling is the roof."

Jordan is technically correct in his assessment, but that was not likely what he wanted to say at the time.

Bleacher Report interviewed a Duke professor of civil engineering, who defended 'His Airness.'

"So the traditional dictionary definition of a ceiling is the surface on the inside of the room," Henri Gavin told Bleacher Report. "That's what the ceiling is. The roof is the surface that covers the building. But an arena is one giant room, so the ceiling is the roof."

In prompt fashion, Barstool Sports is now selling "The Ceiling Is The Roof – 23" shirts for $25.

Tar Heels coach Roy Williams also defended Jordan.

"I said I don't care what he says," Williams told the Raleigh News & Observer. "I said, 'He's Michael Jordan, anything he dadgum wants to say is OK with me.' And if anybody wants to criticize him, it's probably those guys that aren't Tar Heels."

"But no. I would assume the phrase probably got mixed up with the sky's the limit and let it go at that. But it means nothing to me whatsoever. It's Michael Jordan – do what the dickens he wants to do."

The Tar Heels and the University of Michigan are the only two football teams sporting the Jordan brand. It will unveil the new look on Sept. 2 at Kenan Memorial Stadium.