CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The 13th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels begin exhibition play against the Division II Carson-Newman Eagles at Carmichael Arena on Wednesday.
This will be the first of two home preseason games for the Tar Heels, as they will subsequently tip off against the Wingate Bulldogs next Monday before facing Howard in their season-opener on Fri., Nov. 14.
UNC head coach Sylvia Hatchell makes her return to the sidelines after missing the entire 2013-14 season due to her battle with leukemia.
The preseason contest against Carson-Newman also holds special significance for Hatchell as it is her alma mater where she earned a degree in physical education and played both basketball and volleyball for the school.
At the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Media Day held on Oct. 22, Hatchell commented on what she was excited about in returning to run the bench with this year’s team – one that returns 12 players, including four starters.
“We have leadership, we’ve got experience, we’ve got depth, and great chemistry,” the Hall of Fame coach told reporters back then of a Tar Heels team that finished last season making it to the Elite 8 round of the NCAA tournament.
“”I just don’t want to mess them up. I just want to add to it and help them get to the next level. ”
Tipoff against Carson-Newman is 6:00 p.m.