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
Caleb Wilson Emerging as Vocal Leader for UNC BasketballIn an effort to grow as a leader, UNC freshman forward Caleb Wilson used Wednesday's beatdown of Notre Dame as an opportunity to address issues...
Thu Jan 22, 2026Tar Heels reclaim defensive identity after thumping Notre Dame
For four games, UNC's defense had slipped from its identity to anxiety-inducing, a talking point that lingered through three losses. But, on Wednesday, the No...
Thu Jan 22, 2026
Video: IC Podcast - The Death of the NCAA
Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss the latest mess the NCAA has created with the ruling that Charles Bediako is now eligible...
Thu Jan 22, 2026
UNC Men's Basketball Game At Virginia Moved To Noon Saturday
Due to the forecast of a winter storm hitting the Mid-Atlantic region this weekend, the University of North Carolina's men's basketball game at Virginia on...
Thu Jan 22, 2026