Tuesday Talking Points

Jan. 20, 2004

By Adam Lucas

Carolina's win over Connecticut Saturday was the Heels' record-tying tenth over a number-one ranked opponent. In the opposite situation, Carolina is equally formidable. The Heels have a 138-24 record when they are the top-ranked team in the Associated Poll, and are 48-5 when playing at home as number-one. The team with the most success against a top-ranked UNC team is Maryland, which has four wins in 13 tries.

Speaking of polls, the Heels had a winning record against ranked teams in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, and were just a game under .500 in the 60s.

Getting hit in the nose runs in Jawad Williams's family. His father and brother were Golden Gloves boxers.

Carolina has lost just three times in the Leon County Civic Center, FSU's home arena. The last defeat came in 2002, when the 'Noles won an 81-71 decision.

David Noel averaged 3.1 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game in the 19 contests before he was inserted into the starting lineup last season. After playing a couple games as a starter, he averaged 9.3 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game the rest of the season. This season, he averaged 5.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game before getting a start against Coastal Carolina. Since then, he's averaged 8.0 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game.

Despite playing home games against Akron, Old Dominion, George Mason, and Coastal Carolina, North Carolina is averaging more fans at home (20,476) than the capacity of any other ACC arena.

In his career, Carolina is 20-5 when Rashad McCants scores 17 or more points.

Carolina has forced at least 20 turnovers in four straight games and has caused ten 20-plus turnover games by opponents this year. During the entire 2002-03 season, the Heels caused seven 20-plus turnover games.

As you've probably heard by now, the Tar Heels now boast ten all-time wins over top-ranked teams. But only once in history have the Heels beaten a number-one ranked opponent more than once in a season. It happened in 1998, when Carolina defeated top-ranked Duke 97-73 on Feb. 5 and then beat the #1 Devils again in the ACC Tournament, winning an 83-68 decision.

Scoreboard Slider

University of North Carolina Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Rashad McCants

David Noel

Jawad Williams

Related Videos