COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOTES

North Carolina has a decidedly mature lineup, with none of the Tar Heels’ “six starters” under 21.

Makhtar Ndiaye is 24, Shammond Williams will be 23 in April, Ademola Okulaja is 22, and Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter and Ed Cota are 21.

Connecticut is a little different.

Point guard Khalid El-Amin is 18, and leading scorer Richard Hamilton is 20.

“As long as they don’t card at the door, we’re OK,” Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun said. “We can all get into the gym.

“These young guys, many, many times, have played well beyond their years. Age won’t be a factor--unless the old guys get tired.”

*

North Carolina’s players have said since the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament that they found the Greensboro Coliseum a little chilly.

Connecticut’s players, startled by a 70-degree day Thursday, thought the arena was hot when they played the second game, and were fatigued down the stretch.

“I thought it was still cold,” North Carolina’s Jamison said, then grinned. “Maybe they did a tremendous job changing the temperature for the second game.”

*

North Carolina Charlotte’s near upset of North Carolina in the second round turned heads--including those of some athletic directors looking for a coach.

Arizona State and Virginia have received permission to talk to Charlotte’s Melvin Watkins, the Charlotte Observer reported.

*

The Tar Heels were only one rebound and two assists from having four players with double-doubles against Michigan State in the East Regional semifinal.

Jamison and Carter had double-doubles. Williams had 18 points and nine rebounds, and point guard Cota had 11 points and eight assists.