No. 8/8 Kentucky Wildcats (3-0)
at
No. 9/11 North Carolina Tarheels (5-1)
Saturday, Dec. 4 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Dean Smith Center – Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV: CBS
Note:
The nation?s two winningest programs meet Saturday in Chapel Hill when Kentucky travels to the Dean Smith Center to take on Maui Invitational champ North Carolina. The schools own a combined 3,712 victories, 81 NCAA Tournament appearances and 10 national championships.
Kentucky has long owned the title of the nation?s all-time winningest team. But following a 13-19 Wildcat season in 1989, the Tar Heels overtook Kentucky on Jan. 3, 1990 with a 90-78 win over Old Dominion. The Wildcats reclaimed the lead during the 1996 NCAA title run with an 83-63 win over Wake Forest in the Midwest Regional Championship. UK currently owns a 1880-1832 wins advantage over UNC.
This is UK?s fifth meeting in a six-year home-and-home contract with the Tar Heels. The final game will be played in Rupp Arena next season. It marks UK?s first trip to Chapel Hill since Roy Williams took over as head coach last season.
Kentucky has started the season with a 4-0 record but will face its biggest challenge against the Tar Heels. The Cats have home wins over Coppin State, Georgia State and Tennessee Tech and a neutral-site win over Ball State in Cincinnati.
Chuck Hayes leads a talented but young Kentucky squad, averaging 13.8 ppg and 11.0 rpg. The All-America candidate has tallied double-doubles in three of UK?s four games and shined against Tennessee Tech with 17 points and 11 rebounds in just 18 minutes of play.
Three newcomers highlight the Cats? starting lineup, including McDonald?s All-Americans Rajon Rondo and Randolph Morris and transfer Patrick Sparks.
Scouting the Tar Heels
North Carolina, 5-1, is ranked ninth in this week?s AP poll, but started the season as the nation?s fourth-ranked team before a season-opening loss to Santa Clara. The Heels rebounded to earn convincing wins over BYU, Tennessee and Iowa to win the Maui Invitational title. UNC followed with wins over USC and Indiana this week.
Three player average more than 15 points per game for the Tar Heels, led by Rashad McCants? 19.0 ppg. Jawad Williams adds 16.2 ppg, while Sean May adds 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg in the middle.
Roy Williams is in his second season as the head coach at North Carolina. With 442 career wins and a .796 winnig percentage, he?s ranks second among active coaches for winning percentage.
Probable Starters
KENTUCKY Pos. # Name Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG Notes F 44 Chuck Hayes 6-6 242 Sr. 13.8 11.0 All-America candidate F 24 Kelenna Azubuike 6-5 208 Jr. 12.3 5.3 21 pts on 7-of-12 FGs vs. TTU C 33 Randolph Morris 6-10 266 Fr. 10.3 4.8 Double figures in 3 of 4 games G 4 Rajon Rondo 6-1 171 Fr. 8.8 *2.8 11 assists, 12 steals this season G 22 Patrick Sparks 6-0 180 Jr. 12.3 *4.5 11 pts, 5 assists vs. TTU NORTH CAROLINA Pos. # Name Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG Notes F 21 Jawad Williams 6-9 218 Sr. 16.2 3.8 1,240 career points F 32 Rashad McCants 6-4 207 Jr. 19.0 4.0 Wooden Award candidate C 42 Sean May 6-9 266 Jr. 14.5 8.3 Led ACC in rebounds last year G 5 Jackie Manuel 6-5 189 Sr. 5.0 2.3 All-ACC Defensive Team member G 2 Raymond Felton 6-1 198 Jr. 10.6 *6.7 Led ACC in assists last year
*assists per game
Location: – Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV: – Billy Packer and Craig Bolerjack
Radio: Online Coverage:
North Carolina Tar Heels Information
