University of North Carolina NCAA News

It's not often that North Carolina faces an opponent from nearby Durham in November, but that doesn't mean the sixth-ranked Tar Heels will be worried about the outcome of Wednesday's game in the 2K Sports Classic.

Is it Harrison Barnes or bust for the North Carolina Tar Heels? Speaking of busts, are there a couple at the top of the 2005 rankings? Is Indiana on the verge of landing some intriguing talent out of the 2010 class? National Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer answers these questions and more in this week's mailbag.

GAME NOTES: The defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels open the 2009-10 campaign against the Florida International Golden Panthers and new head coach Isiah Thomas in a Coaches vs.

Junior Shaun Draughn, UNC's leading rusher, fractured his left shoulder blade on the first play of the game and will miss the rest of the season.

As the college basketball season officially kicks off today, I can't believe that there's one name going under the radar.

Published: Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Last Modified: Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. North Carolina may have to battle its struggling mid-major opponent for attention as the Tar Heels open their season as defending national champions.

Duke's Thaddeus Lewis is the first player in school history to throw for more than 2,000 yards in four straight seasons.

Deon Thompson had 23 points and eight rebounds to help No. 6 North Carolina beat Belmont Abbey 107-59 on Friday night in its only exhibition game.

North Carolina starting tailback Shaun Draughn hurt his left shoulder on his first carry against Duke and is out of the game.

Some years Duke can't wait for the chance to play North Carolina. It's the only thing left for the Blue Devils.

North Carolina men's basketball coach Roy Williams said he opened up more than he expected he would about his personal life in a recently published autobiography.

OUTLOOK: Thanks to North Carolina's dominance, the ACC added another national title to the trophy case in 2008-09. The Tar Heels ripped off 34 victories en route to the national championship, but weren't the only squad in-conference with banner seasons.

Last Duke win at UNC: 2003 . The Coaches : David Cutcliffe: 9-11 at Duke; & Butch Davis: 17-16 in his 3rd season at UNC; Last week : Duke def.

North Carolina is still struggling to figure out what kind of team it is heading into the final month of the season.

There is something about road trips that quickens the pulse and moistens the palm of the college football player and fan.

The North Carolina Tar Heels came into Thursday night with the No. 1 pass defense in the United States.

North Carolina shooting guard Marcus Ginyard has been a part of one NCAA championship team and another that reached the Final Four.

T.J. Yates was walking off the field at Kenan Stadium last Thursday night when something flew out of the stands and hit him in the helmet.

A bye week fell at an opportune time for No. 14 Virginia Tech, giving the Hokies a chance to get their loss to No.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have the unenviable task of playing the 14th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies under the lights in Blacksburg on Thursday night.