CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- Deon Thompson scored a career-high 20 points to help top-ranked North Carolina beat Kentucky 77-58 on Tuesday night despite playing yet again without national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough.

The Tar Heels led by double figures barely 4 minutes into the game and never looked back.

Patrick Patterson had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats (0-2), who had 28 turnovers.

North Carolina didn't really need Hansbrough, who has missed almost three weeks of practice with a shin injury.

NO. 7 TEXAS 76, TULANE 51

In Austin, Texas, Damion James scored 16 points and Texas cruised.

Dexter Pittman, a 6-foot-10, 300-pound junior forward, muscled over the Green Wave for 10 points and six rebounds in his second career start for the Longhorns, who had five players score in double figures.

NO. 9 GONZAGA 80, IDAHO 46

In Spokane, Wash., Micah Downs scored 18 points and Austin Daye added 16 as Gonzaga beat Idaho for the ninth consecutive time.

Josh Heytvelt added 15 points for the Bulldogs.

NO. 11 PURDUE 78,

LOYOLA OF CHICAGO 46

In West Lafayette, Ind., E'Twaun Moore scored 14 points, and Purdue advanced to the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals.

Purdue had only been to New York's Madison Square Garden for the semifinals once in three previous tries.

NO. 14 TENNESSEE 91,

TENNESSEE-MARTIN 64

In Knoxville, Tenn., Brian Williams scored a career-high 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Tennessee.

It was the Vols' 34th consecutive home victory, breaking the school record set from 1966-68.

NO. 24 KANSAS 85,

FLORIDA GULF COAST 45

In Lawrence, Kan., Sherron Collins had a career-high 25 points and Kansas ran away from Florida Gulf Coast after raising its 2008 national championship banner.

The Jayhawks swarmed Gulf Coast from the opening tip, starting with a 13-2 run, building the lead to 32 by halftime.

NO. 25 WISCONSIN 88,

SIU-EDWARDSVILLE 58

In Madison, Wis., reserve Jon Leuer scored 19 points to lead Wisconsin.