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Arizona to have F Williams back for North Carolina

Jan 27, 2007 - 1:39 PM No. 4 North Carolina (18-2) at No. 19 Arizona (14-5) 1:00 pm EST

TUCSON, Arizona (Ticker) - Marcus Williams is expected to play for Arizona on Saturday when the 19th-ranked Wildcats host No. 4 North Carolina in an intriguing non-conference matchup.

Arizona's leading scorer at 18.1 points per game, Williams was suspended for the Wildcats' Pac-10 Conference contest vs. Arizona State on Wednesday for a violation of team rules.

His teammates did not miss him, rolling to an 71-47 rout over the Sun Devils. Star freshman forward Chase Budinger collected 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats (14-5), who improved to 10-1 at home this season.

North Carolina (18-2) is coming off a blowout victory of its own, an 88-60 road rout of Wake Forest on Wednesday. Wayne Ellington scored 18 points and fellow freshman Ty Lawson 15 for the Tar Heels, who held just a five-point edge at the break.

The series is tied at three wins apiece. North Carolina won last year at home, 86-69.