NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Other West Regional Games : North Carolina Has No Trouble in 83-65 Win

North Texas State never got over its tournament jitters Thursday and lost to North Carolina, 83-65, in a sloppily played first-round game.

The Tar Heels, seeded No. 2 in the West, will play Loyola Marymount in Saturday’s second round.

North Carolina (25-6) went to J.R. Reid early and often, and the 6-9 sophomore responded with 29 points, 2 short of his career high.

“I didn’t know he could shoot that well,” North Texas State Coach Jimmy Gales said.

“I thought he was just a layup shooter, but he can shoot. He’s good.”

Reid was better than good against the Eagles, hitting 10 of 16 shots and 9 of 10 free throws.

“The jumper I shoot around the free-throw line is from our offense,” said Reid, who also had nine rebounds. “I know most people think of me as a post player, but I think I’m able to hit that shot when I’m open.”

North Carolina Coach Dean Smith said North Texas State’s man-to-man defense dictated the Tar Heels’ strategy.

“They did choose to play J.R. pretty much straight up,” Smith said. “When we see that, our plan is to go in to J.R. and see what happens.”

Ranzino Smith added 15 points as North Carolina shot 53%.

North Texas, which bows out at 17-13, shot only 29% in the first half and was down, 40-24, at intermission. Scoring leader Tony Worrell, who managed 15 points but shot only 6 for 17, summed up his team’s problems: “Today just wasn’t my night.”

North Texas, the Southland Conference champion, was making its first NCAA tournament appearance.

The victory marked the eighth consecutive 25-win season for North Carolina and the 16th in Smith’s 27 years at the school, an NCAA record.

North Carolina, however, committed 18 turnovers. “(Guards) Jeff Lebo and King Rice have to be the players they are Saturday for us to win,” Smith said.

Michigan 63, Boise St. 58--Loy Vaught scored 13 points and Terry Mills 12 as No. 10 Michigan held on to defeat Boise State.

Boise State (24-6) rallied from a 19-point deficit in the second half to pull within 61-58 on Brian King’s third three-pointer of the game with 18 seconds remaining.

After Mills missed the first of a one-and-one free-throw opportunity, the Broncos had a chance to tie. But King’s off-balance three-point attempt from the top of the key was off the rim.

Mike Griffin sank a pair of free throws with one second left for the Wolverines.

Michigan (25-7) will play Florida in Saturday’s second-round game.

Florida 62, St. John’s 59--Vernon Maxwell sank a three-point shot with seven seconds left to enable Florida to overcome a frantic St. John’s comeback.

Maxwell, who scored 18 points, hit his shot after Greg (Boo) Harvey provided the Redmen with their only tie of the game, 59-59, with 14 seconds left. Harvey missed a last-second three-point try for St. John’s (17-12).

Florida (23-11) got 13 points from Dwayne Davis and 11 from freshman Livingston Chatman.