UNC and Valpo set to square off

North Carolina will look to win its third straight game to start the season with a contest at 4 pm against Valparaiso.

UNC is coming off a blowout win against NC Central, while the Crusaders will look to rebound from an 88-78 loss at Ball State Friday night.

The Tar Heels have owned the matchup, as the teams have played each of the last two seasons with UNC winning both times.

These two games are the only times the schools have faced off, as the Chicago-area school served as Bobby Frasor's "homecoming" game.

Valpo jumped out to an early 12-3 lead last season, but Tyler Hansbrough scored 25 and led UNC to an 85-63 win.

Two years ago, it was UNC that got out to a fast start, leading 19-2 before the Crusaders fought back. UNC eventually blew it open, though, and went on to win, 90-58. Hansbrough once again led the Tar Heels with 23, and Danny Green added 20.

Deon Thompson scored in double digits in both of these contests.

After today's game, North Carolina will have a tough stretch. The team will play five ranked teams in an eight-game stretch, including three top-10 teams.