CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Isiah Thomas stood on the sideline and ordered his undersized Florida International team to spread the court against the defending national champions.

That's when North Carolina's Deon Thompson walked over and teasingly asked why Thomas had to make the bigger Tar Heels defend so much on the perimeter.

"He just started laughing and said, 'Man, that's the only thing I can do,' " Thompson said.

Yes, the Tar Heels were too talented and just too big in their 88-72 victory over the Golden Panthers in the 2K Sports Classic last night. And it was a reminder that Thomas could be in for a frustrating debut season with the long-struggling FIU program.

But for Thomas, it was a start.

"The thing I liked about our team was we fought," Thomas said. "The first thing you've got to do in order to win is you've got to learn how to fight."

Thompson scored 20 points to lead the sixth-ranked Tar Heels (1-0), who shot 56 percent and led by double digits much of the way to kick off their centennial season against Thomas — the Hall of Fame player and former NBA coach who inherits a program with nine straight losing seasons.

His debut came on the same day his 86-year-old mother, Mary, had open-heart surgery in Chicago. He spent Sunday with her, then arrived in Chapel Hill early yesterday for the Golden Panthers' shootaround at the Smith Center and planned to return to Chicago today.

"My mom raised me basically to fight, just as I'm trying to put it in our team," Thomas said. "Last night, when I was speaking to her, she just said she doesn't want to die. And she's going to fight to live. With that, she told me to go to work and fight for our team."

Marvin Roberts had 18 points for the Golden Panthers (0-1), who shot 37 percent.

Even without Tyler Hansbrough and fellow first-round NBA draft picks Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, there's still plenty of talent and size for the Tar Heels.

There just isn't all that much experience outside of Thompson and fifth-year senior Marcus Ginyard.

"Last year's guys, I've been with them ever since I've been here," Thompson said. "We all knew each other and knew each other's tendencies: where guys are going to go, how guys like to get shots and things like that. Now you just have no clue where that person is going to go, what he's thinking in his mind or if he even knows the play. It's definitely a big difference, but it's also fun and exciting to experience something new."

No. 13 California 75, Murray St. 70: Jerome Randle scored 18 points and host California open its season with a win in the 2K Sports Classic. Theo Robertson added 14 points, Patrick Christopher had 13 and Jamal Boykin scored 12 for the Golden Bears (1-0), who held off a game effort from the Racers (0-1).

No. 16 Ohio St. 100, Alcorn St. 60: Evan Turner recorded the second triple-double in history for host Ohio State with 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in the victory in the 2K Sports Classic. William Buford added 19 points, Jeremie Simmons 12 and Walter Offutt 11 for the Buckeyes (1-0) against the Braves (0-1).

MILESTONE WIN

Syracuse 75, Albany 43: Jim Boeheim became the eighth Division I coach to reach 800 wins with the milestone coming against Albany. Arinze Onuaku scored 14 points, and Scoop Jardine and Wes Johnson each had 12 for Syracuse (1-0) in the tournament that benefits Coaches vs. Cancer. Will Harris led Albany (0-1) with 14 points.