UNC Basketball vs. Virginia Tech: Game info, preview and more

The UNC Basketball team hosts No. 10 Virginia Tech on ESPN’s Big Monday as both teams enter the game at 4-1 in conference play

The North Carolina Tar Heels will have a quick turnaround after beating Miami on the road Saturday to improve to 4-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

UNC used a late second half run to pull away from Miami in Coral Gables, earning their third road win in the conference in this young season. But now, just two days later the Tar Heels will welcome a Top 10 team into the Dean Dome.

No. 10 Virginia Tech heads to Chapel Hill Monday night to take on No. 11 North Carolina in a big ACC game for both teams. The Hokies and Tar Heels both enter Monday’s game with 4-1 records in conference play and both are coming off of wins.

For the Tar Heels, their lone loss came in the Dean Dome 2 weeks ago when they were routed by Louisville in what was an embarrassing performance. Virginia Tech’s lone conference loss came on the road at Virginia, who was unbeaten at the time.

With seven teams at 4-1 atop the conference, the winner of this game keeps pace for first place while the loser falls a game behind. More importantly, the winner will have the tie-breaker edge for ACC Tournament seeding as this is the only time they will play this season.

The Hokies enter this game as one of the best defensive teams in the nation.

They are allowing just 59.5 points per game this season, ranking fifth in the nation. However, their non-conference schedule wasn’t impressive as the notable teams they have beat were Purdue and Penn State.

In conference play, they have really really put down the defensive clamps on teams. They held Notre Dame and Boston College to 66 points each, while giving up just 49 to Virginia Tech.

The Cavaliers blew them out by scoring 81 points but that’s not only one of the best teams in the conference but in the nation as well.

While the Hokies are great on the defensive end, they are also one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country. If you’ve watched any UNC games this year, you know that the Tar Heels have had their issues guarding the three-point line and that’s putting it nicely.

The Hokies are shooting 42 percent from the three-point line which ranks third in the nation.

They have a few players that can beat you from the outside with five players shooting over 40 percent from the three-point line. Ty Outlaw leads the way shooting 50 percent followed by Wabissa Bede at 46 percent and Nickeil Alexander-Walker at 44 percent.

For the Tar Heels, they are going to have to really tighten up on the perimeter. They had their struggles guarding the three ball and Monday night could get out of hand early if they don’t improve on defense.

On the offensive side, UNC needs their seniors to step up.

Cameron Johnson has been fantastic for the Tar Heels but both Luke Maye and Kenny Williams have struggled at times. If all three can have big games, UNC should be in great shape.

Maye is coming off a 14-point, 9-rebound performance against Miami while Williams finished the game while Williams finished with 16 points and 7 assists. Williams has been shooting the ball better as of late, a good sign for the Tar Heels chances this season after he got off to a terrible start.

What you need to know

What? Virginia Tech 15-2 (4-1 ACC) AT UNC 14-4 (4-1)
When? Monday, January 20, 7pm  EST
Where? Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ESPN
Radio? Tar Heels Sports Network
All-Time series? North Carolina leads 31-7
Prediction? UNC 72, Virginia Tech 71