ASHEVILLE -- Life returns to normal this week for North Carolina's top-ranked Tar Heels after they whipped UNC Asheville 91-75 Sunday.
Two days removed from beating Michigan State on the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in San Diego, the Tar Heels (2-0) found themselves involved in another emotional event. This time, they helped the Bulldogs open their new Kimmel Center in front of a full house of 3,200 fans.
"After that (California) trip, which was so much fun, the juices were flowing," said North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall, who had 15 assists against UNC Asheville (0-2). "Playing on a ship, meeting the President, Magic Johnson, James Worthy. Then this. After that, you say, man, it's time to get some rest."
It took some time for the Tar Heels to steady themselves against the Bulldogs, playing not only on dry land again but also quite a bit higher in elevation (going from sea level in San Diego to 2,100 feet in Asheville).
After flying all night from San Diego, they arrived at their Asheville hotel at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.
"Probably the roughest part was sleep," said Tar Heels forward Tyler Zeller, who scored 27 points. "(Saturday) night I really didn't sleep much because I was used to being up later. But I don't think we're going to have to do that again this season."
Said forward John Henson (20 points, 12 rebounds): "I think I'm feeling it in my knees a little bit more than anything. But we'll get back home, get in the ice tub, the hot tub, then go back at it Tuesday."
The size of the Tar Heels' front line, particularly Henson (6-foot-11) and Zeller (7-0), was the difference against UNC Asheville, which played in last season's NCAA tournament and is the Big South's preseason favorite.
The Bulldogs, whose front line included 6-3 Chris Stephenson and 6-5 Quinard Jackson, were simply overmatched. They stayed in the game mostly because of sharp-shooting guards J.P. Primm (23 points), Jaron Lane (21) and Matt Dickey 14).
"Our game plan was to get inside," said Zeller, who was 6-of-10 from the floor. "We knew we had an advantage there, so it was something we had to exploit."
Marshall's 15 assists were the most ever by a Tar Heel in a true road game.
Tar Heels coach Roy Williams, who grew up in Asheville, seemed relieved to have the five-day road trip behind his team.
"All in all, it was a weird four or five days," said Williams, whose team doesn't play again until Sunday at home against Mississippi Valley State. "Some of the experiences have been sensational. Some we'll remember forever."
He was also impressed with UNC Asheville's new arena. The Bulldogs had already played one game, a season-opening 84-75 loss Friday at N.C. State.
"This is a wonderful, big-time setting," said Williams. "I think it's a great homecourt advantage for the Bulldogs. I don't care how beautiful a place is, it can look like the Taj Mahal. If there's no noise in there, then I don't like it. There was plenty of noise in there today."
