The good, the bad, and the ugly from UNC's season-opening win over Western Carolina

It wasn't always pretty. However, at the end of the night, North Carolina held on for an 80-72 victory over Western Carolina, and Michael Malone officially recorded his first win as head coach of the Tar Heels. There were naturally going to be some growing pains. We saw a mix of encouraging signs, some concerns, and, of course, the rebounding issues. (Keeping It Heel)

Audio: 100 Years of Kenan Stadium - The Flea Flicker

During UNC's memorable 2015 football season, the Tar Heels hosted Duke in an ACC clash. The winner would position themselves to win the Coastal Division and earn a trip to the ACC championship game. Early in the game, UNC sent a message that it wasn’t messing around with the Blue Devils. Curran Campbell remembers the electric opening play. (Chapelboro.com)

Video: John Henson Breaks Down UNC Basketball's Season-Opening Victory

Former North Carolina and NBA forward John Henson breaks down the Tar Heels' 80-72 season-opening victory against Western Carolina at the Smith Center on Monday night. (View Video)

Tar Heels in NBA: Caleb Wilson outstanding again; Coby White makes season debut

Caleb Wilson continued his strong start to his rookie season in another loss on a night when Coby White made his season debut and Leaky Black got four steals in a big game. Wilson finished with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals on Monday night, but the 1-6 Chicago Bulls lost 126-107 in Philadelphia for their fifth straight defeat. (Tar Heel Tribune)

North Carolina vs. Western Carolina Postgame Quotes

Michael Malone on his first official win with UNC Basketball: "I'm thankful to get that first one. And the fans here have been so kind to me and welcoming, and you know I love that, and I appreciate that. And I just want to make sure I'm doing my job to make the Carolina family proud. You know, I don't take this opportunity lightly, and that's a huge responsibility." (GoHeels.com)

Video: Carolina Insider - UNC vs. Western Carolina Postgame Reactions

Join Jones Angell and Adam Lucas for Carolina Insider Rapid Reactions as they break down the Tar Heels' 80-72 season-opening victory over the Western Carolina Catamounts on Monday night in Chapel Hill. (View Video)

Michael Malone's First UNC Victory Comes With Special Moment From Roy Williams

Michael Malone picked up his first win at UNC, but it wasn't pretty. As a heavy favorite against Western Carolina, the Tar Heels clung to a late two-point lead before pulling away for an 80-72 win. Ready to deliver his postgame remarks, Director of Basketball Operations Eric Hoots stopped Malone. "Hey coach, they want to give you the game ball." (TarHeel247)

Video: IC Podcast - UNC Basketball Scrapes Past Western Carolina

Michael Malone's first regular-season game as UNC Basketball coach played out in similar fashion as the three exhibition games - some good, some bad, and plenty of areas that need improvement. But in the end, the Tar Heels staved off Western Carolina 80-72 in the Smith Center. (View Video)

North Carolina vs. Western Carolina Postgame Notes

North Carolina's first points of the Malone era were a pair of free throws by Terrence Brown 1:07 into the game. The first field goal was a three by Matt Able, who led the Tar Heels with 18 points. It was his 15th career game in double figures. Four Tar Heels scored double figures: Able (18), Terrence Brown (14), Neo Avdalas (13), and Maximo Adams (10). (GoHeels.com)

Lucas: Begin Again

Starting over was different then. Roy Williams had a boatload of returning players, including Raymond Felton, Jawad Williams, and Sean May. Jackie had a posse. David Noel was better known as a wide receiver. Michael Malone didn't inherit quite the same roster. In this era, the coach and the roster are new together. They looked like it for part of Monday night. (GoHeels.com)

Michael Malone gets win No. 1 at blueblood North Carolina. It wasn’t an easy night

Michael Malone walked into a room of reporters after a tougher-than-expected win in his coaching debut at UNC, then offered a quip that captured the mood. "You guys have as much fun as I did? Welcome to the roller coaster." The man who coached the Denver Nuggets to an NBA championship had just watched his Tar Heels beat Western Carolina 80-72. (Associated Press)

Video: UNC Basketball Players Post-Western Carolina Interviews

Maxi Adams, Matt Able, Neo Avdalas, and Terrence Brown speak with reporters following the Tar Heels' 80-72 season-opening victory over the Western Carolina Catamounts on Monday night at the Smith Center. (View Video)

Box Score: North Carolina 80, Western Carolina 72

View the complete box score from the North Carolina Tar Heels' 80-72 season-opening victory over the Western Carolina Catamounts on Monday night at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill. (View Box Score)

Video: Michael Malone Post-Western Carolina Press Conference

North Carolina head men's basketball coach Michael Malone speaks with the media following the Tar Heels' 80-72 victory over the Western Carolina Catamounts on Monday night in Chapel Hill. (View Video)

Video: Tar Heels Top Catamounts to Open Regular Season, 80-72 - Highlights

North Carolina got 18 points from Matt Able, led from start to finish and held off a pesky Western Carolina squad, 80-72, on Monday night in the Smith Center in Michael Malone's first official game as the Tar Heel head coach. Check out the highlights. (View Video)

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