GAME NOTES: The top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels finally get their 2007-08 season underway when they take on the Davidson Wildcats in Charlotte this evening. There are high hopes at UNC this season after the team won 31 games last year. Despite the loss of some key personnel from that group, the talent pool in Chapel Hill is deep and Roy Williams has a team that is certainly a favorite to win the national title this year. Davidson will be the first team to get to see the Tar Heels up close and personal. Bob McKillop is the all- time winningest coach both at Davidson and in the Southern Conference, so he will surely have his team ready for this game. Davidson opened its season last Friday, with a 120-56 rout of Emory. The Tar Heels hold a 60-11 edge in the all-time series with Davidson. UNC is 163-18 in games played in Charlotte.

The Tar Heels lost one of the premier talents in the college ranks last year, when freshman Branden Wright made the jump to the NBA. Despite the loss, there is plenty of talent on the roster to make up for it. It all starts with All- American Tyler Hansbrough. The junior standout is one of the best players in the country and has the ability do it all in the low post after averaging 18.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game last year. Six of the team's top eight scorers return as well. The backcourt is set with sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington. Lawson averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.6 apg as a freshman, while Ellington poured in nearly 12 ppg, while shooting 37 percent from behind the arc. Other sophomores that could make names for themselves are 6-8 Deon Thompson and 6-9 Alex Stepheson, who will be needed to aid Hansbrough along the frontcourt. Another player down low who could provide support is redshirt freshman Will Graves (6-6, 245). Other players of note include juniors Marcus Ginyard, Danny Green and Bobby Frasor.

Sophomore Stephen Curry hit 10-of-15 shots from the floor, including five three-pointers, leading the Wildcats to a resounding 120-56 whipping of Emory in the season-opener. Curry poured in 27 points to lead five players in double figures for Davidson, which shot 50 percent from the floor overall. Bryant Barr came off the bench to tally 17 points, followed by Jason Richards (14 pts), Boris Meno (12 pts) and Brendon McKillop (11 pts). Richards and Meno each recorded double-doubles in the victory, with Richards doling out 11 assists, while Meno grabbed 13 rebounds. The Wildcats dominated defensively as well, grabbing everything in sight on the boards in tally 68 rebounds. The team also held Emory to 30.6 percent shooting and forced 23 turnovers.

The Wildcats had an easy time with Emory last week, but will have the tables turned in this one. While North Carolina probably won't win by 60+ points, the Tar Heels shouldn't have a problem getting a victory in Charlotte.

GAME NOTES: The top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels finally get their 2007-08 season underway when they take on the Davidson Wildcats in Charlotte this evening. There are high hopes at UNC this season after the team won 31 games last year. Despite the loss of some key personnel from that group, the talent pool in Chapel Hill is deep and Roy Williams has a team that is certainly a favorite to win the national title this year. Davidson will be the first team to get to see the Tar Heels up close and personal. Bob McKillop is the all- time winningest coach both at Davidson and in the Southern Conference, so he will surely have his team ready for this game. Davidson opened its season last Friday, with a 120-56 rout of Emory. The Tar Heels hold a 60-11 edge in the all-time series with Davidson. UNC is 163-18 in games played in Charlotte. The Tar Heels lost one of the premier talents in the college ranks last year, when freshman Branden Wright made the jump to the NBA. Despite the loss, there is plenty of talent on the roster to make up for it. It all starts with All- American Tyler Hansbrough. The junior standout is one of the best players in the country and has the ability do it all in the low post after averaging 18.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game last year. Six of the team's top eight scorers return as well. The backcourt is set with sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington. Lawson averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.6 apg as a freshman, while Ellington poured in nearly 12 ppg, while shooting 37 percent from behind the arc. Other sophomores that could make names for themselves are 6-8 Deon Thompson and 6-9 Alex Stepheson, who will be needed to aid Hansbrough along the frontcourt. Another player down low who could provide support is redshirt freshman Will Graves (6-6, 245). Other players of note include juniors Marcus Ginyard, Danny Green and Bobby Frasor. Sophomore Stephen Curry hit 10-of-15 shots from the floor, including five three-pointers, leading the Wildcats to a resounding 120-56 whipping of Emory in the season-opener. Curry poured in 27 points to lead five players in double figures for Davidson, which shot 50 percent from the floor overall. Bryant Barr came off the bench to tally 17 points, followed by Jason Richards (14 pts), Boris Meno (12 pts) and Brendon McKillop (11 pts). Richards and Meno each recorded double-doubles in the victory, with Richards doling out 11 assists, while Meno grabbed 13 rebounds. The Wildcats dominated defensively as well, grabbing everything in sight on the boards in tally 68 rebounds. The team also held Emory to 30.6 percent shooting and forced 23 turnovers. The Wildcats had an easy time with Emory last week, but will have the tables turned in this one. While North Carolina probably won't win by 60+ points, the Tar Heels shouldn't have a problem getting a victory in Charlotte.

Fact Stats

FACTS & STATS: Site: Bobcats Arena (19,000) -- Charlotte, North Carolina. Television: ESPN. Home Record: North Carolina 0-0, Davidson 1-0. Away Record: North Carolina 0-0, Davidson 0-0. Neutral Record: North Carolina 0-0, Davidson 0-0. Conference Record: North Carolina 0-0, Davidson 0-0. Series Record: North Carolina leads, 60-11.

Predicted Outcome

North Carolina 86, Davidson 60