THE MATCHUP
♦ Top-seeded North Carolina (29-6) will face ninth-seeded Providence (24-10) on Saturday night in Raleigh, looking to make its record 33rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals. The Tar Heels and Friars will take the opening tip at approximately 9:40 p.m. at PNC Arena.
♦ UNC beat Florida Gulf Coast, 83-67, on Thursday night to advance to Saturday's second-round contest. Providence beat No. 8 seed Southern California in a 70-69 thriller in the first round.
♦ Carolina is vying for its record 33rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament round of 16 and its record 27th official Sweet 16 appearance (since 1975).