UNC Basketball vs Stanford: Tar Heels play host to Jerod Haase, Cardinal

North Carolina returns to Chapel Hill for its first home game of 2018

After a pair of road victories to open the 2018-19 season, the North Carolina basketball program returns home to face Jerod Haase and the Stanford Cardinal.

The 2-0 Tar Heels are led by seniors Luke Maye, Kenny Williams and Cameron Johnson, but also have a bevy of young talent on their roster. Newcomers Nassir Little and Coby White have already shown promise to begin the season, and the Tar Heels’ sophomore class looks to be ready to take on a bigger load this season as well.

The Cardinal, on the other hand, are primarily made up of underclassmen. Sophomore forward KZ Okpala is leading Stanford with 26 points and 6.5 rebounds per game to start the season. Stanford, unfortunately, had to say goodbye to standout big man Reid Travis, who transferred to Kentucky after last season.

Unsurprisingly, Jerod Haase’s Cardinal play the same uptempo style of play that his former coach and mentor has used for the past three decades. Both teams will look to push the ball after rebounds and made baskets, making for an exciting, fast-paced game in the Dean Dome.

Key to the game for UNC

If North Carolina can continue to control the boards, and get their big men involved, it’ll be difficult for Stanford to keep pace. The Tar Heels have outrebounded both of their opponents this season, including a 60-31 drubbing on the glass against Elon on Friday night.

UNC’s sophomore class looks poised to make a big jump from last season, particularly Garrison Brooks. He and fellow sophomore big man Sterling Manley played efficiently in limited minutes against Elon, combining for 18 points and 14 rebounds in just 31 minutes of play.

And although Stanford does have a number of big bodies to throw at North Carolina, it doesn’t have the shooters to match the Tar Heels. If the UNC bigs can help create space for North Carolina’s outside shooters, the Cardinal will have a difficult time controlling the game.

Key to the game for Stanford

Stanford has to keep the rebounding differential close in this game. If the Tar Heels run all over the Cardinal in the paint, it’s game over. Additionally, Stanford needs to pressure the Tar Heels’ outside shooters, getting around screens and making it difficult to find open shots.

Haase’s guys played great perimeter defense against UNC-Wilmington last week, forcing the Seahawks to just 35 percent shooting from the floor, and 3-for-19 from long-range. They also scored 26 points from the 20 turnovers they created on defense.

Don’t expect Stanford to force North Carolina into as many mistakes on Monday night, but it’s that kind of game plan and execution that could help the Cardinal keep the game close.

Last meeting

Joel Berry II scored 29 points en route to a 96-72 North Carolina victory over Stanford in Palo Alto. Kenny Williams scored 20 points, aided by six three-pointers, and Luke Maye added 12 points and nine rebounds for the ninth-ranked Tar Heels.

Reid Travis — who’s now a member of the Kentucky Wildcats — led the Cardinal with 21 points and six rebounds. Isaac White added 20 points, while Daejon Davis and Michael Humphrey each scored 10.

The victory moved North Carolina to a perfect 3-0 on the season, while Stanford’s record dropped to 3-2 after the blowout home defeat.

What you need to know:

What? Stanford (2-0) at UNC (2-0)
When? Monday, Nov. 12 – 7:00 p.m. EST
Where? Dean E Smith Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ESPN2.
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-Time series? UNC leads 11-0
Prediction? UNC 88, Stanford 66