THE MATCHUP
♦ North Carolina (12-2, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) will open the new year in search of its sixth consecutive win when it hosts Georgia Tech (10-3, 0-0) at noon on Saturday January 2. Carolina began ACC play with an 80-69 win over Clemson on Wednesday night.
♦ The Yellow Jackets and Tar Heels will tip off at 12:07 p.m. in the Smith Center.
♦ Carolina will be playing its third game in less than a week after beating UNCG and Clemson on Monday and Wednesday, respectively. Georgia Tech has won three in a row and will be playing its ACC opener after beating Duquesne at home on Tuesday.