Notre Dame men's basketball drops season opener at North Carolina

 

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The new 20-game ACC basketball schedule comes with a few quirks, one being the rare season-opening conference matchups.

Notre Dame men's hoops began its attempt to bounce back from a last-place finish by opening the season with a road test against Top-10 team North Carolina. Despite leading at halftime, the Irish fell 76-65 as UNC freshman Cole Anthony scored 34 points in his college basketball debut.

Notre Dame, now 0-1 on the year and 0-1 in ACC play, were led by a career-high 22 from sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb. His backcourt mate TJ Gibbs added 19 as well. The Irish are back home Saturday to host Robert Morris at Purcell Pavilion.