North Carolina (17-8, 7-7) vs. Clemson (10-16, 3-12)
Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, N.C.
9 p.m., RJ (Tim Brandt, Billy Packer)
Quotables:
“[Coach Purnell] said how this is his first year in the ACC, and he has a chance to do something really big, and he wants to [end the streak], and he needs our help. He reminded [Chapel Hill native] Chris Hobbs where he’s from. He said it twice: ‘Where are you from, Chris?’” -- Olu Bablola
“It hit us in the gut last year. Sometimes it feels like there must be some kind of hex over us.” -- Chris Hobbs
"When you start talking about 49 or 50 years and the law of averages, it is going to end at some point. Since you guys (sportswriters) brought it up so much to me, maybe I'd better tell my team about it. I'll tell them, 'We know it's going to end some time, let's just put it off for another year.'" -- Roy Williams
* Note: As this is UNC's senior night, Roy Williams said he plans to start senior walk-ons Phillip McLamb, Jonathan Miller and Damien Price.
Probable Starting Lineup:
Shawan Robinson (6-2, 183, G, So.) – 10.7 ppg, 2.6 apg
Chey Christie (6-4, 178, G, Jr.) – 9.5 ppg, 2.3 apg
Olu Babalola (6-6, 242, F, Jr.) – 9.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Chris Hobbs (6-7, 260, F, Sr.) – 8.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg
Sharrod Ford (6-9, 220, F, Jr.) – 11.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.4 bpg
Key Reserves:
Vernon Hamilton (6-0, 192, G, Fr.) – 7.0 ppg, 3.3 apg
Akin Akingbala (6-9, 230, F, So.) – 4.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Lamar Rice (6-7, 210, F, Jr.) – 3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg
First Meeting: The Tar Heels fell behind early, and couldn't recover, as Clemson shot a remarkable 11-for-13 on three-point attempts and won 81-72. Shawan Robinson led the way for the Tigers with 24 points (5-6 3pt) For a game recap, including stats, quotes, photos, etc. -- CLICK HERE.
Season Update: Since beating UNC, Clemson has lost six of their last seven conference games. First-year head coach Oliver Purnell has the program headed in the right direction, but it may be more of an uphill battle than he anticipated.
CU Info
Schedule
Stats
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Hamilton ... Hobbs
Ford ... Christie
Babalola ... Purnell