Once play finally resumed, Kentucky was never able to push the lead despite Wallace sitting on the bench for the remainder of the half.

The first game of the renewed series, held in the Dean Smith Center, found Kentucky at a particularly critical time.

With Cliff Hawkins shredding the UNC defense with his penetration and previously unknown Marquis Estill exploding for 19 points, UK rolled to an easy victory and went on to salvage the season.

The game came perilously close to surpassing North Carolina's worst home loss at the Dean Dome, and would have if not for two last-minute 3-point shots by Forte.

Other Tar Heels such as Reyshawn Terry (who led all scorers with 25), Bobby Frasor and Wes Miller all contributed key baskets throughout the game, keeping the Wildcats in check.

For their part, Kentucky kept the game tight throughout the second half but mental mistakes at key moments and other lapses such as an inability to keep UNC from getting offensive rebounds doomed them to the loss.

Defending National Champion North Carolina opened up the contest with a 9–2 lead until Kentucky, led by freshman John Wall, went on a 28–2 run in the first half.

Wall dominated at times while helping the Wildcats build a 19-point first-half lead, then spent 20 anxious minutes in the training room after cramping up.

The win provided redemption of sorts for Wall, a native of Raleigh, N.C., who grew up wanting to play for the Tar Heels.

A seldom-used reserve a year ago who has flourished in his final season, Josh Harrellson again held his own against North Carolina's bigger, more heralded front line, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

A week prior to the match-up North Carolina lost on the road to the University of Nevada Las Vegas, dropping them to fifth and moving Kentucky up to first in the polls.

This match-up was the first time the two schools had met this highly ranked since December 26, 1981 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, when Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins combined for 66 points in North Carolina's 82–69 victory.

This matchup had even more media anticipation and included more than two dozen National Basketball Association scouts and front office personnel.

After freshman Marquis Teague missed the front end of a one-and-one, Anthony Davis blocked John Henson's game-winning shot, grabbed the rebound, and the Wildcats ran out the clock to win.

UNC, however, won the turnover battle 9–17, scored 24 points in transition, and shot a higher field goal percentage for the game (48% vs. 41%).

Paige was the highest scorer for either team, scoring 23 points on 13 field goals and making all 10 of his free throw attempts.

[2] James Michael McAdoo also scored 20 points for the Heels, shooting 4 of 6 from the field and making 12 of 19 free throws to go with 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

James Young also contributed 16 points (half of which came from the foul line), and Willie Cauley-Stein grabbed 12 rebounds (5 offensive).

He passed the ball over to Luke Maye, who hit a jumper from just inside the three point line to give the Tar Heels a 75–73 lead with 3 tenths of a second left.