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North Carolina looks to continue its run of lop-sided wins

Dec 13, 2008 - 11:32 AM Oral Roberts (2-6) at No. 1 North Carolina (8-0) 6:00 p.m. EST

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- North Carolina has destroyed its opponents. With five games remaining until Atlantic Coast Conference play begins, that trend should not stop.

The top-ranked Tar Heels look to remain undefeated on Saturday when they host Oral Roberts.

North Carolina has won each of its first eight games by at least 15 points and has claimed two of its most lopsided victories in its most recent games.

After embarrassing North Carolina-Asheville, 116-48, the Tar Heels claimed a 35-point triumph over then-No. 12 Michigan State on December 3.

The impressive start has come despite an injury to Tyler Hansbrough, who has missed four contests due to a stress reaction in his right shin and has also been nursing a sore left ankle.

Hansbrough has battled through the ailments to lead North Carolina in scoring with 22.0 points per game and is third in rebounding, averaging 6.8 boards.

Last season's consensus National Player of the Year should have plenty of time to rest before opening conference play against Boston College on January 4. Following the Oral Roberts contest, North Carolina has home games against Evansville and Rutgers with trips to Valparaiso and Nevada in its next four games.

Hansbrough may not see much time against Oral Roberts, which has lost five of its last six games, including a 69-66 setback to Arkansas-Little Rock on Monday.