Things to watch: UNC vs. Ohio State at Madison Square Garden

We're here at Madison Square Garden for the Coaches vs. Cancer 2K Sports Classic.

After a much-delayed flight and an afternoon spent walking around the Big Apple, we've got about 20 minutes before No. 4 North Carolina takes on No. 15 Ohio State tonight, tipoff scheduled for 9:15 but that might run a little later. Boy, I'm sure our editors are ecstatic about pushing deadlines.

Couple storylines to watch tonight during the game:

• The Stage: this is UNC's first really big-time game. Playing in Madison Square Garden against a nationally ranked team, UNC coach Roy Williams will get a good look at how his young team will handle the pressure. UNC is coming off a close win against a Valparaiso team that should have been overmatched, and Williams said he was was disappointed with the performance. It will be interesting to see how the Tar Heels rebound, and if the NYC lights will inspire like Jay-Z says they do.
• Ginyard: UNC's senior leader has an elite slasher to test himself against defensively. Ohio State's small forward Evan Turner leads the Buckeyes with 19 points per game and is shooting almost 55 percent from the floor. Ginyard's reputation as a defensive stopper will be tested. As a whole UNC's perimeter defense is in for a stout challenge as Turner, William Buford (15.5 ppg) and Jon Diebler (.583 shooting from beyond the arc) make up one of the nation's best backcourts.
• Shooting: The Tar Heels weren't pegged as even a good three-point shooting team, but so far in the season, they've been able to shoot a respectable .366 from deep. Granted, UNC has only taken 41 threes on the year, but it's an interesting observation. As a team, the Tar Heels are shooting .571 from the floor. That can happen when a team takes as many inside shots as the post-heavy Tar Heels do. as a game, this should be an interesting matchup between a highly experienced and skilled Buckeye backcourt and a dominant UNC front line.

Also, on a side note, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model (and Charlotte native) Brooklyn Decker is rumored to be here rooting for UNC — just one more thing that can distract an honest reporter in the Big Apple. Focus! Focus!

Also, we won't be liveblogging this one, because our deadline's going to be awful rushed. Sorry folks. We'll be blogging periodically though so stay tuned. And I have a fleeting suspicion you'll see the stories in the paper tomorrow.