Tennessee State vs. North Carolina: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Game Time and More

North Carolina heads into Tuesday's matchup against Tennessee State as the No. 1 team in the country, but woes from the free-throw line and 3-point range have the Tar Heels actually playing below their potential.

The Tigers, after two losses to start the season, have won their last two games, including a squeaker against South Carolina on Sunday.

There isn't much hope for Tennessee State, but stranger things have happened in college basketball.

Where: Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC

When: Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN3

Listen: Big Blue Sports Network (The Light 101.2 FM); WCHL-AM 1360 (Chapel Hill)

Betting Line: North Carolina - 27.5

Key Injuries

Tennessee State: No injuries to report

North Carolina: Leslie McDonald, G, Out Indefinitely

What's at Stake?

For Tennessee State, this season is likely not going to be pretty. The Tigers have gone 2-2 thus far, losing to such stalwarts as the Saint Louis Billikens and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

But they do play in the Ohio Valley Conference, so the conference is always in reach.

As for No. 1 North Carolina, the Tar Heels have gotten off to a fast 3-0 start and have only one thing on their mind this season: another national championship. They put up 101 points against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils last game.

What They're Saying

Even if Tennessee State doesn't pull off the upset on Tuesday, Tigers forward Robert Covington can take solace in the fact that his teammates will fight to the bitter end.

Said Covington after the Tigers held off South Carolina's rally on Sunday, via ESPN: “I learned that my team doesn’t give up, no matter what it goes through, or what it faces. And that gives all of us a lot of confidence right now."

As for North Carolina, the Tar Heels still haven't played up to their potential, according to head coach Roy Williams, via the Boston Herald:

"

For the third time (this season), obviously, you’d like to shoot the ball better. And you’d like to make some of the open shots you have from (three-point range) more than you did. And you’d like to make more free throws.

"

The Tar Heels, despite scoring 101 points against the Delta Devils, left a lot of points on the line, going 16-of-31 from the charity stripe.

Tennessee State Player to Watch: Robert Covington, F 

Robert Covington, coming off being named the OVC Player of the Week, is averaging 16.7 points and 8.0 rebounds so far this season.

A junior, Covington is poised for his biggest season yet and he dropped 16 points, nine rebounds and three 3-pointers against South Carolina.

North Carolina Player to Watch: John Henson, F

John Henson has been overshadowed by Harrison Barnes throughout his career at UNC, but right now he's been absolutely dominant.

Henson is averaging 16.7 points on 60 percent shooting, 11.0 rebounds and four blocks per game so far.

Averaging more minutes than he did last season, it looks like this will be Henson's breakout year.

Key Matchup: Tennessee State defense vs. North Carolina offense

After losing their first two games, the Tigers have stormed back with two straight victories. In those two wins, they've allowed just 60 points per game.

That was against meager competition, but there's no doubt that if Tennessee State is to have a chance against UNC, the Tigers are going to have to play above their heads on defense.

North Carolina is currently averaging 86.3 points per game, 20th in the nation. And that's with their poor free-throw shooting.

Prediction: North Carolina 97, Tennessee State 55