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

North Carolina vs. Pitt Postgame Notes
Hubert Davis becomes the only UNC head coach to win 20 or more games each of his first five seasons. Jarin Stevenson and Seth Trimble...
Sun Feb 15, 2026

UNC Basketball’s smaller lineup created more spacing, ball movement, and versatility
North Carolina had spent much of the season leaning on Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, but Saturday demanded something different. With Wilson out indefinitely with...
Sun Feb 15, 2026

Video: Carolina Insider - Post-Pitt Reactions & Interviews
Join Jones Angell and Adam Lucas for Carolina Insider postgame reactions as they break down the Tar Heels' 79-65 win over the Pitt Panthers, review...
Sun Feb 15, 2026

Day of redemption for Zayden High after enduring plenty of lows
Zayden High returned to the Tar Heels for his sophomore season but didn’t get many opportunities. Thanks to Henri Veesaar being out, High finally got...
Sun Feb 15, 2026