College basketball: Wednesday’s area games to watch

WEDNESDAY’S MATCHUPS

BUCKNELL (0-2) at No. 9 NORTH CAROLINA (1-0)

Smith Center, Chapel Hill, 8 p.m.

The visiting Bison are defending Patriot League champions and favored to repeat. Forward Zach Thomas averages 27.5 points and 13 rebounds. ...Forward Luke Maye (Hough High) scored 26 points in 28 minutes in North Carolina’s opener.

GARDNER-WEBB (0-2) at CENTRAL FLORIDA (1-0)

CFE Arena, Orlando, Fla., 7 p.m.

This closes a rough three-game Florida trip for the Runnin’ Bulldogs. The host Knights, coached by former Duke standout Johnny Dawkins, could be without injured 7-6 center Tacko Fall (hip) and point guard B.J. Taylor (ankle).

CLAYTON STATE (0-0) at No. 2 QUEENS (2-0)

Levine Center, Charlotte, 8 p.m.

The visiting Lakers are led by 6-7 forward Denzel Council, who scored 27 points in the team’s exhibition victory earlier this month. Todd Withers is averaging 20.5 points and Mike Davis averages 16.5 in the Royals’ first two games. This is Queens’ home opener.

Steve Lyttle

This story was originally published November 14, 2017 at 4:36 PM with the headline "College basketball: Wednesday’s area games to watch."