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

Luka Bogavac's Newest Acclimation Phase is Learning about March Madness
Luka Bogavac knew a little bit about the NCAA Tournament before arriving in Chapel Hill from Montenegro. He was familiar with UNC's basketball brand. That...
Thu Mar 19, 2026

Where Henri Veesaar ranks among top 50 men's college basketball players in March Madness
29. Henri Veesaar, UNC: After Caleb Wilson suffered a hand fracture, Veesaar became the leader of a North Carolina squad that needed one. He has...
Thu Mar 19, 2026

Marcus Paige's memorable 3-pointer didn't win an NCAA title, but his legacy as a Tar Heel is secure
The UNC locker room was so quiet you could hear the heartbeat of a season ending in ash. Marcus Paige sat with his head down,...
Thu Mar 19, 2026

Caleb Wilson says it’s hard to sit and watch, no decision yet on future yet
Caleb Wilson will no doubt enter the NBA draft, but said he hasn’t figured that out yet. "No, I haven’t decided that," Wilson said when...
Thu Mar 19, 2026