UNC beats Western Carolina 80-72 in Michael Malone's coaching debut

The University of North Carolina men's basketball team won its season opener 80-72 against Western Carolina on Monday night in Chapel Hill, according to ABC11 WTVD. The Tar Heels pulled away in the final six minutes with a 13-2 run, breaking free from a close game.

Matt Able led UNC with 18 points, while Terrence Brown and Neo Avdalas contributed 14 and 13 points respectively. Despite the win, UNC struggled with rebounding and shooting, hitting 41.8% overall and 30% from three-point range. Western Carolina out-rebounded UNC 41-32 and made 10 three-pointers.

Western Carolina's Jaxon Prunty and Jaeden Roberts scored 18 and 17 points respectively, with Roberts hitting four three-pointers. The Catamounts remained competitive throughout, closing to within one possession multiple times in the final ten minutes, CBS17 reported.

This game marked the coaching debut of Michael Malone, who spent 12 seasons as an NBA head coach and led the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 championship. Malone is the first UNC head coach since 1952 without prior ties as a player or assistant coach at UNC.

The Tar Heels will continue their home schedule with a game against Wofford on Friday night at the Smith Center, starting a stretch of six consecutive home games to open the season.