Tar Heels Start Season With Win Over Penn 86-71
Posted Nov 16, 2008
Freshman Tyler Zeller scored 18 points Saturday to help top-ranked North Carolina beat Pennsylvania 86-71 despite playing without reigning national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough. Deon Thompson added 17 points for the Tar Heels, who led by double figures much of the day yet had trouble putting together a game-sealing run without their injured star senior roaming the paint. North Carolina was also without fellow senior Marcus Ginyard.
(Tar Heel Blue)
Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting
Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Michael Malone Wins Debut, But Should UNC Basketball Fans Be Concerned?Michael Malone is officially 1-0 as North Carolina's head coach, but UNC Basketball's 80-72 win over Western Carolina wasn't the dominant opening-night performance Tar Heel...
Tue Nov 3, 2026The good, the bad, and the ugly from UNC's season-opening win over Western Carolina
It wasn't always pretty. However, at the end of the night, North Carolina held on for an 80-72 victory over Western Carolina, and Michael Malone...
Tue Nov 3, 2026
Video: John Henson Breaks Down UNC Basketball's Season-Opening Victory
Former North Carolina and NBA forward John Henson breaks down the Tar Heels' 80-72 season-opening victory against Western Carolina at the Smith Center on Monday...
Tue Nov 3, 2026
Tar Heels in NBA: Caleb Wilson outstanding again; Coby White makes season debut
Caleb Wilson continued his strong start to his rookie season in another loss on a night when Coby White made his season debut and Leaky...
Tue Nov 3, 2026