Ten years after a bloody, broken nose, former Duke-UNC rivals start a podcast

The key players in an unforgettable, blood-stained Duke-UNC basketball moment have announced plans to work together.

Former North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough and former Duke standout Gerald Henderson Jr. plan to launch a weekly podcast called “Tobacco Road” on Thursday. The show, which will study the rivalry between the two schools, plans to feature coaches, players and other guests with ties to Duke or UNC.

It will be released on Thursdays on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher.

“Me and Tyler – mainly because of me – have a unique history, having something happen that will never be forgotten about,” Henderson said Wednesday in a joint interview with Hansbrough.

It was a little more than 10 years ago (March 4, 2007, to be exact) when Hansbrough hit the floor and emerged with a bloody and broken nose from a foul by Henderson in the final seconds of that game in Chapel Hill. Henderson was ejected after the contact was deemed flagrant, and the Tar Heels took the win, 86-72.

“Tyler went up, shot faked or whatever, he got all our guys in the air and I came down on him, “ Henderson said after the game. “I wasn’t trying to hurt him or anything like that. It just turned out way worse than what I intended.”

Hansbrough on Wednesday said the two “didn’t really have a relationship before” the foul.

“(The foul) worsened it, clearly,” Henderson said. “I wouldn’t want a broken nose, either.”

Both said they’ve put the moment behind them, but they expect it will help the podcast.

“It’s going to grab some attention,” Hansbrough said. “But both of us are actively involved with our programs. It’s kind of unique, because usually you don’t bring both crowds together unless we’re playing.”

After seven years playing in the NBA, Hansbrough currently plays professional basketball in China. He will call in to participate in the podcast.

Henderson played eight seasons in the NBA and expects to return after recovering from hip surgery in August.

More information on the podcast will be available at tobaccoroadpod.com.

This story was originally published December 6, 2017 at 2:07 PM with the headline "Ten years after a bloody, broken nose, former Duke-UNC rivals start a podcast."