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UNC returns home to face intra-state rival

Nov 30, 2008 - 8:11 AM North Carolina-Asheville (3-2) at No. 1 North Carolina (6-0), 6:30 p.m. EST

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- North Carolina has won its first six games by an average of 23.4 points - and the team is just getting close to full strength.

The top-ranked Tar Heels look to win their seventh straight game when they host North Carolina-Asheville on Sunday.

North Carolina is coming off a tournament title at the Maui Invitational in the last week, posting consecutive victories over Chaminade, Oregon and No. 8 Notre Dame.

Shaking off the rust from missing the first three games in his collegiate career, Tyler Hansbrough scored 34 points in North Carolina's 102-87 victory over Notre Dame on Wednesday. Last season's consensus National Player of the Year had been out with a stress reaction in his right shin.

The Tar Heels have plenty of scoring depth behind their senior as Deon Thompson, Ty Lawson, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington are all averaging at least 13.5 points per game. The team's top defender, senior forward Marcus Ginyard is still out after having foot surgery.

UNC should not have much of a problem with UNC-Asheville, which has dropped its past two games.

Reid Augst scored 15 points in the Bulldogs' 74-69 setback to Wofford on Tuesday.

North Carolina has defeated UNC-Asheville each of the past three seasons, including a 93-81 triumph in January.