WHERE: Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte

TV: WRAL, WNCT

RADIO: WCHL-1360, WRDU-106.1

RECORDS: North Carolina 34-2; Washington State 26-8

WHAT TO WATCH

This game pits the nation's No. 2 scoring offense (UNC, 89.9 ppg) against the nation's No. 2 scoring defense (Washington State, 56.1 ppg). Guard Ty Lawson is healthy and shooting well (39 points in two NCAA games), giving the Heels' breakneck pace that much more oomph. A balanced, precise Cougars team will want to slow the pace. To do that, WSU (40.5 points allowed in two NCAA games) must outrebound the nation's best rebounding team (UNC has a plus-11.6 rebounding margin). WSU is 0-5 against Pac-10 foes UCLA and Stanford, both of which feature strong interior players (Kevin Love, Brook Lopez). Matching Tyler Hansbrough will be WSU's toughest task.

KEY PLAYERS

UNC can't key on one guy and expect WSU to collapse. Seniors Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver lead WSU in scoring, and each is averaging 14.5 points in the tournament. Now that Tar Heels Alex Stepheson and Deon Thompson scored 22 and 31 points, respectively, in the first two rounds, the Cougars can't do that either.

* The Tar Heels are looking for a 14th consecutive victory this season and their eighth straight victory in an NCAA regional semifinal.

* The Cougars will be playing in their first regional semifinal and making their first trip to play in the Tar Heel State.