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

Former UNC Forward Deon Thompson Expected to Join Michael Malone's Basketball Coaching Staff
Deon Thompson is coming home. A source close to the program confirmed the 2009 national champion is expected to join Michael Malone’s staff as a...
Tue May 12, 2026

What UNC Basketball lost and gained in backcourt production
The Tar Heels' entire starting backcourt has turned over this offseason. The good news for UNC Basketball is that coach Michael Malone has brought in...
Tue May 12, 2026

Success Beyond a Lottery Pick for UNC Basketball
Even if you are drafted highly, you have to turn that into playing at an elite level. That, more than anything, is what’s been...
Tue May 12, 2026

Caleb Wilson on his UNC pickup game that went viral
What Caleb Wilson has meant to North Carolina really can't be measured. On top of being such a great playmaker, Wilson fully embraced the Chapel...
Mon May 11, 2026