UNC vs. Virginia – Can the Tar Heels Keep Rolling at Home?
Alright, folks, it’s game day in Chapel Hill, and we’ve got a big one—North Carolina vs. Virginia in an ACC showdown at the Dean Smith Center. The Tar Heels are coming off what might have been their best performance of the season, a dominant 97-73 win over NC State. They’re looking to keep that momentum going as they push toward an NCAA Tournament berth. Meanwhile, Virginia is coming off a tough loss to Duke and will be desperate to bounce back.
Let’s set the stage. UNC sits at 16-11 overall and 9-6 in ACC play , while Virginia is hovering at 13-13 and 6-9 in the conference . Historically, the Tar Heels have owned this matchup at home, with a 26-6 record against Virginia in the Smith Center . The Cavaliers haven’t won in Chapel Hill since 2020, and they’ve lost four of their last six against Carolina.
So, what are the keys to this game? Well, for UNC, offensive rebounding has been a game-changer . Against NC State, they grabbed 14 offensive boards and turned them into 21 second-chance points . If they can replicate that effort, it’ll put Virginia on its heels. Players like Drake Powell and Ven-Allen Lubin will be key in that battle under the rim.
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Another major factor? Three-point shooting. When Ian Jackson is hitting from deep, UNC becomes a different team. The freshman guard is shooting 58.3% from beyond the arc over the last two games , and the Heels are 8-3 when he hits multiple threes . If he gets hot again, that could spell trouble for Virginia.
But let’s not sleep on the Cavaliers. They’ve found some offensive rhythm lately, scoring 70+ points in five straight games before their loss to Duke. A big reason for that? Isaac McKneely. The sophomore guard is shooting 42.3% from three and has been on fire, hitting 14 of his last 30 attempts (46.6%) . If UNC lets him get going, Virginia could make this a tight one.
Another storyline? Hubert Davis. The UNC head coach led the Tar Heels to the national championship game in his first season, but fast forward three years, and there’s some serious pressure on his shoulders . UNC came into the season ranked in the top 10, and missing the tournament again would raise big questions about the program’s direction.
So, what’s the prediction? Well, UNC is clicking at the right time, and they’ve been dominant at home. Virginia can put up a fight, but the Heels have too much firepower and too much momentum right now .
Final score? UNC 78, Virginia 67. Expect R.J. Davis to take over in the clutch, and for the Tar Heels to continue their late-season surge.
Tip-off is at 4 p.m. on ESPN2 , and it’s going to be a fun one. Let’s see if UNC keeps rolling or if Virginia can flip the script.
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