BC takes streak to Tobacco Road

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Boston College men's basketball team is making its first trek from Chestnut Hill to Chapel Hill in search of equilibrium.

After posting their first ACC road win Saturday at Miami, the 20th-ranked Eagles (14-4, 2-3) will be looking to make it two in a row when they square off against defending national champion North Carolina tonight at 9 in the Dean Smith Center.

A win would put BC at .500 in the league after losing its first three ACC games.

''We're still trying to get better," said coach Al Skinner, whose team has won three straight. ''We've played better the last couple of games and, obviously, we've had some wins. But, as I told my guys, I was more concerned with our style of play in looking to improve that, and the result has been a couple of wins for us."

BC's winning streak coincides with a surge by senior forward Craig Smith, who has averaged 21.6 points and 15 rebounds in that stretch. He shares ACC player of the week honors this week with Duke's J.J. Redick.

''They've got some big-time players who have been successful for two or three years and we understand that," said Tar Heels coach Roy Williams, who had four players -- Sean May, Raymond Felton, Rashad McCants, and Marvin Williams -- from last year's championship team depart early for the NBA.

The Tar Heels (11-4, 3-2) snapped a two-game conference losing streak (at home versus Miami, 81-70, and at Virginia, 72-68) with an 81-80 victory at Florida State Saturday.

Helping the cause is Tyler Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9-inch center, who ranks as the ACC's leading freshman scorer (17.5) and rebounder (7.3).

''I am enjoying this team, there's no question," said Williams. ''It is a big-time challenge. We're treading water where nobody's ever been before with the inexperience that we have after how much we lost."

BC-North Carolina

When: Tonight, 9

Where: Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, N.C.

TV: Ch. 38