Matt Able is available for UNC basketball's season opener against Western Carolina

There's some good news for UNC ahead of the start of the Michael Malone era on Monday night.

Matt Able is available to play in Monday night's season opener against Western Carolina after missing the Tar Heels' final preseason exhibition against Charlotte.

Able's status had been one of the biggest questions surrounding North Carolina heading into its first game that actually counts.

Now, that question has been answered.

Matt Able is available for UNC's season opener

Able played in UNC's first two preseason games before unexpectedly being ruled out against Charlotte with an undisclosed issue.

The sophomore guard struggled in his unofficial Tar Heel debut against USC, going scoreless while committing four turnovers. However, Able responded with a much more encouraging performance against Indiana.

The NC State transfer scored 11 points and knocked down three of his five attempts from beyond the arc, offering a glimpse of the perimeter shooting ability that the Tar Heels hope he'll bring to the lineup this season.

Fortunately, the Tar Heels won't have to begin the regular season without one of their projected starters. North Carolina didn't provide details on why Able sat out against Charlotte, but fans will be happy to hear he is cleared to play in the team's season opener.

Able transferred to North Carolina this offseason after averaging 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a freshman at NC State while shooting 35.5 percent from three-point range. He is expected to be an important piece of a revamped UNC backcourt alongside Terrence Brown and Neo Avdalas.

UNC tips off its 117th season of basketball, and the Michael Malone era, against Western Carolina at 7 PM EST at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

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