The 'other' Tyler comes through for Tar Heels

Posted Nov 16, 2008
North Carolina freshman center Tyler Zeller spent the moments before the Tar Heels' 86-71 season-opening victory against visiting Pennsylvania on Saturday staring at his shoes. He said it's a tactic he has used since he was a freshman in high school to sharpen his focus and fight nerves. But moments later, when Zeller lined up his first shot as a Tar Heel, a 12-foot baseline jumper, there was no trick to use to avoid the butterflies. (Burlington Times News)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Memorable UNC-Kentucky basketball games
Dec. 17, 1962: UNC 68, Kentucky 66 - In a rare occurrence in this series, neither team was ranked when they met at Kentucky. But...
Sun Nov 30, 2025

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Basketball Moves On To Kentucky After Loss To Michigan State
Just like the 2017-18 season, UNC lost to Michigan State in the non-conference portion of the schedule. That season they went on to a 2-seed...
Sat Nov 29, 2025

Cam Johnson scores 28, but Harrison Barnes’ Spurs advance in NBA Cup; Coby White scores 25
In a pivotal NBA Cup battle between Tar Heels on Friday, Cameron Johnson capped a strong week with his best game as a Denver Nugget...
Sat Nov 29, 2025

Video: IC Podcast - How Jackson Watkins Lived UNC Basketball Walk-On Dream
For decades, kids have dreamed of wearing the Carolina uniform every time they pick up a basketball. Jackson Watkins lived that dream. As a student...
Sat Nov 29, 2025