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
UNC Basketball Battles Emotional Toll Of Beating Duke With Trip To MiamiUNC's game Tuesday at Miami is important, because how do they respond off that Duke game in one of the biggest wins Smith Center history?...
Tue Feb 10, 2026Video: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Basketball On Letdown Alert Tuesday
Fresh off a huge win over Duke, UNC Basketball faces letdown danger as they battle Miami in ACC play. Can Caleb Wilson, Seth Trimble, and...
Tue Feb 10, 2026
Chansky’s Notebook: The Hangover
The Tar Heels will need to avoid a common pitfall tonight in Coral Gables. Who among us hasn’t crashed back to earth after a night...
Tue Feb 10, 2026
Can UNC Basketball carry momentum to Miami? Preview and prediction
UNC Basketball visits Miami with hopes of snagging a third-straight road win in the ACC. The Tar Heels have to show they can move on...
Tue Feb 10, 2026