Bodog Beat

Tyler Hansbrough scored early, but not late and the Tar Heels nearly lost. (AP Images)

We expect Roy Williams teams to choke in March, not November. But these Tar Heels almost bucked convention in the most dubious way Wednesday night.

No. 1 North Carolina, playing its season-opener in front of a boisterous crowd in Charlotte, N.C., barely survived a scare from unranked Davidson. Wayne Ellington made key shots down the stretch as the Tar Heels won, 72-68, but failed to cover the point spread.

The 11.5-point favorites took the lead for good with 3:44 to play when Ellington hit a free throw. He finished with 20 points while Davidson, an early candidate for Cinderella, got 24 points from Stephen Curry.

The Wildcats return five starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament team and served notice they plan to wreak havoc on the national scene long before March rolls around.

Although Tyler Hansbrough had a double-double (14 points and 14 rebounds), the Carolina star was flustered. He drew a technical foul after getting into a shoving match with Davidson’s Andrew Lovedale.

Hansbrough, the leading vote getter on preseason All-America team, only scored two points in the second half. His disappearance was a big reason for the Tar Heels’ troubles.

In other early Top 25 college basketball action on Wednesday:

No. 7 Tennessee 101, Arkansas-Monticello 44: Tyler Smith and JaJuan Smith combined for 29 points to lead the favored Volunteers in Knoxville, Tenn.

No. 12 Michigan State 83, Louisiana-Monroe 65: The Spartans had all they could handle from the Warhawks, who hit an incredible 14 three-pointers as they beat the spread of 23.5.For Michigan State (2-0), freshman Chris Allen scored 17 points and All-American Drew Neitzel finished with 15. The Spartans were behind 57-56 after 6:14 had gone in the second half before they reeled off 11 straight points.

For college basketball odds for Thursday, rock the rim with the Bodog Sportsbook.