Tar Heels' success starts on the boards

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Roy Williams always wants his North Carolina teams to run. He knows they can't do that without hitting the glass, snatching down a rebound and kicking the ball out to start the break.

It's why the Hall of Famer has always emphasized rebounding since taking over at UNC a decade ago. It's one thing this year's group has generally done well even as they've struggled at times after losing four NBA first-round draft picks.

"The simple fact of the game is the quality of my shot against the quality of your shot," Williams said Friday. "And if I rebound it more, some of my shots are going to be close shots. They're going to be tip-ins or follow dunks. That's been the whole reason for me since the day I started."

Since Williams left Kansas to return to his alma mater in 2003, the Tar Heels (11-5, 1-2 ACC) have ranked either first or the second in the league every year in both rebounds per game and rebound margin.

This year's team lacks a true go-to post player such as Sean May and Tyler Hansbrough from Williams' two national-title winners in 2005 and 2009.

Yet the Tar Heels still lead the league in offensive rebounds (15.7 per game). They're second in total rebounds (43.2) and rebounding margin (plus-6.6) to Maryland, their opponent today.

"If we see one guy in practice not box out, we stop and run every day," Williams said, "because I really do believe it's that important."

WOMEN

Hollins 77, W. Wilson 57

Freshman guard Kelly Maxey broke Hollins' single-game record with 11 assists on Friday in a win over visiting Warren Wilson College (6-6).

Chanci Wright had 16 points and nine rebounds for Hollins (5-10). Lacie Forrest added 10 points.

LATE THURSDAY

No. 3 Duke 73,Georgia Tech 57

DURHAM, N.C. -- Seth Curry scored 24 points to lead No. 3 Duke past Georgia Tech.

Mason Plumlee added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Blue Devils (16-1, 3-1 ACC).

Freshman Chris Bolden led Georgia Tech (10-6, 0-4) with 20 points.

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