Overview
- The Tar Heels beat Western Carolina 80-72 in Michael Malone's collegiate head-coaching debut Monday night with Matt Able leading North Carolina with 18 points.
- UNC shot 41.8 percent overall and made 9 of 30 three-pointers while being outrebounded 41-32, a continuation of rebounding problems seen in preseason exhibitions.
- A late 13-2 run sealed the win after Western Carolina's Jaeden Roberts fouled out with about 5:57 remaining, and Jaxon Prunty finished with 18 points for the Catamounts.
- Athletic director Steve Newmark and retired coach Roy Williams presented Malone with a game ball after the game and Malone described the team as a work in progress that will take time to cohere.
- With 11 new players including key transfers and freshmen, UNC must shore up rebounding, reduce turnovers and improve shot consistency quickly before early tests against higher-level opponents.