N. Carolina84

Missouri70

BIRMINGHAM — They arrived here a shell of their former dynasty, with doubts swirling whether they even belonged in the NCAA Tournament for a record 26th consecutive year. They got in, and judging from their demeanor and performance last night, the North Carolina Tar Heels plan on hanging around awhile.

Relying primarily on an overwhelming size advantage, thanks mainly to 7-foot Brendan Haywood, eighth-seeded North Carolina proved it belonged in the 64-team field with a solid 84-70 victory over Missouri in a first-round game of the South Regional.

Haywood, towering over the smaller Tigers, never strayed far from the basket, hit 10 of 15 shots and scored a career-high 28 points.

Haywood also hauled in 15 rebounds, as he and Jason Capel (11) fueled a 55-30 pounding on the boards.

“I’m not going to say it was easy,” Haywood said, “but I was definitely trying to impose my will in there.”

At times, it was easy. Missouri (18-13) hoisted up 31 3-pointers and made only eight. The chief offender was Clarence Gilbert (4-of-15 from beyond the line), the player who ticked off the Tar Heels by stating beforehand that time had passed Carolina by.

“Anybody can talk,” Haywood said. “It takes heart to go out and play.”

Ed Cota, the point guard from Brooklyn, had 10 assists, giving him 1,003 for his career.

To go any deeper in this tournament, Carolina (19-13) will have to get past No. 1 seed Stanford, no easy feat.