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North Carolina opens conference play vs. Clemson

Jan 6, 2008 - 3:03 PM No. 1 North Carolina (14-0) at No. 19 Clemson (12-1) 7:30 pm EST

CLEMSON, South Carolina (Ticker) - Top-ranked North Carolina faces its toughest test so far this season when it opens Atlantic Coast Conference play on the road against No. 19 Clemson on Sunday.

North Carolina has rode an easy schedule to a perfect record to start the season but have yet to face a ranked team. The Tar Heels have had no trouble enforcing their will on the opposition, averaging 92.2 points per game - second highest in the nation - while outscoring teams by an average of 23 points.

North Carolina also ranks fourth in rebounds per game, pulling down just over 44 boards a contest. A big part of the Tar Heels inside presence is junior Tyler Hansbrough, who is averaging a team-high 22.4 points and 9.6 rebounds.

Hansbrough scored 25 points - including all 11 free throws - as North Carolina posted its fourth straight victory by at least 25 points on Wednesday, logging a 90-61 win over Kent State on Wednesday.

Clemson enters Sunday's contest with back-to-back wins in its last two games after suffering their first setback of the season against Mississippi on December 22.

The Tigers bounced back with a 33-point drubbing against Samford before posting a decisive 87-61 victory over Alabama in their last game on Tuesday.

Despite a dismal 2-27 record all-time against No. 1 ranked teams, Clemson scored one of its pair of triumphs against the top-ranked Tar Heels during a 75-65 victory on February 18, 2001. However, the Tigers have lost each of their last six meetings against North Carolina.