GAME NOTES: Fresh off an overtime scare, the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels will attempt to remain undefeated tonight as they host the UNC-Asheville Bulldogs. UNC-Asheville has won three straight games and five of its last six to improve to 11-3 overall. The Bulldogs are coming off a 61-58 road victory over South Carolina, a solid team from the SEC. Therefore, expect them to enter this evening's game with some confidence despite being labeled as major underdogs. North Carolina has won all 15 of its game this season, and while most of the victories have come by wide margins, the team needed overtime to knock off Clemson on Sunday by a 90-88 final. Seven of the Heels' wins have come at home, and they have scored at least 90 points on 10 occasions. North Carolina has won all four of its game against UNC-Asheville, including 93-62 last season.

UNC-Asheville is averaging 79.3 ppg this season behind an efficient 49.4 percent showing from the field, including 39.2 percent accuracy from three- point range. Defensively, the club has been able to limit the opposition to 69.8 ppg on 39.4 percent shooting from the floor. The top offensive performer for the Bulldogs is Bryan Smithson, as he is posting 16.4 ppg. K.J. Garland, who is close behind with 16.0 ppg, has dished out 86 assists, double the total of his turnovers. Kenny George (12.8 ppg), Vincent James (11.1 ppg) and Reid Augst (10.1 ppg) provide plenty of offensive balance. George had 16 points and 13 rebounds against South Carolina, leading UNCA to victory. Garland pitched in 15 points for the Bulldogs, who limited the Gamecocks to 38.7 percent overall shooting.

Wayne Ellington was the hero for North Carolina against Clemson, as his three- pointer with less that one second remaining proved to be the difference. Ellington finished that clash with 36 points on 5-of-8 shooting from behind the arc and 9-of-9 from the charity stripe. Ty Lawson had 16 points and eight assists in that clash, while Tyler Hansbrough managed 12 points and 14 rebounds. Hansbrough is averaging 21.7 ppg and 9.9 rpg, as he is a strong candidate for national player of the year honors. Ellington is racking up 18.0 ppg, and he is a tremendously accurate shooter from both three-point range and the foul line. Lawson has dished out 79 assists to go along with 13.2 ppg, and Danny Green rounds out a foursome of double-digit scorers for UNC with 12.6 ppg. The Tar Heels are scoring 92.1 ppg while limiting the opposition to 69.9 ppg, and they are pulling down 11.6 rpg more than their foes.

Clearly, North Carolina should win this game by a wide margin. Expect the Tar Heels to absolutely dominate the boards, as the Bulldogs have no player capable of banging with Hansbrough.