Freshmen lead UNC by Penn

Posted Nov 16, 2008
North Carolina figured it had enough returning talent to pass its first test without Tyler Hansbrough. It turns out the Tar Heels' front-line newcomers are pretty good, too. Tyler Zeller scored a team-high 18 points while fellow freshman Ed Davis had 10 points and 14 rebounds to help North Carolina beat Pennsylvania 86-71, a season-opening performance that seemed to indicate the Tar Heels can weather the uncertainty of playing without Hansbrough. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

What Was UNC's Offensive Plan Late At Cal?
North Carolina had California quickly backing toward the ropes with seemingly nowhere to go late in Saturday's game at Haas Pavilion. Down by 20 points...
Mon Jan 19, 2026

Hubert Davis on Caleb Wilson's droughts, Seth Trimble's late shots, the press, and more
Hubert Davis on Caleb Wilson getting just four or fewer shots over the final 15 minutes in each of the last four games: "Well, those...
Mon Jan 19, 2026

Longtime Fans Reflect On 500 Smith Center Wins
Here, we reflect on four unforgettable Smith Center wins, memories shared by fans who witnessed nearly all of them; games that brought exhilaration to a...
Mon Jan 19, 2026

North Carolina's basketball season is wobbling, and the spotlight is back on Hubert Davis
The Tar Heels’ terrible defensive play isn’t going to get any better soon, especially with North Carolina yet to reach the heart of ACC play...
Mon Jan 19, 2026