When Timo Makkonen played, UNC was smokin'
Posted Mar 11, 2010
Back when smoking was allowed in sports arenas, coach Red Auerbach signaled to Boston Celtics fans late in a game that a victory was in hand by smoking a cigar. At North Carolina in the early '80s, coach Dean Smith had his version of a victory cigar. About the time the pep band began playing the victory song during games in the 1982, 1983 and 1984 seasons, Smith sent Timo Makkonen, a 6-foot-10 center from Finland, onto the Carmichael Auditorium court.
(Charlotte Observer)
Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting
Box Score: North Carolina 88, USC 70View the complete box score from the North Carolina Tar Heels' 88-70 exhibition victory over the USC Trojans on Friday night in Greensboro...
Fri Oct 9, 2026Video: Michael Malone Post-USC Press Conference
North Carolina head men's basketball coach Michael Malone speaks with the media following the Tar Heels' 88-70 exhibition win over the USC Trojans on Friday...
Fri Oct 9, 2026
Video: Jarin Stevenson Leads Tar Heels to Exhibition Win vs. USC, 88-70 - Highlights
Jarin Stevenson posted a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double. Neo Avdalas finished with 15 points, and Isaiah Denis scored 17 as the Tar Heels outscored USC by...
Fri Oct 9, 2026
Lucas: North Carolina vs. USC Rapid Reactions
UNC gets a very encouraging 88-70 win over Southern Cal to open the exhibition season. A clue that this team will be fun to watch:...
Fri Oct 9, 2026