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

The UNC Basketball team returns to action on Tuesday night as they take on Georgia Tech in Atlanta for a big Atlantic Coast Conference road game.

It’s been more than a week but finally, the North Carolina Tar Heels are returning to the court as they will take on Georgia Tech Tuesday night in Atlanta.

With Super Bowl LIII set to take place on Sunday in Atlanta, this matchup between the No. 9 Tar Heels and the Yellow Jackets will serve as an appetizer for the sports crowd in the city. Let’s just hope there is no upset.

The last time we saw the Tar Heels in action, they used a big 20-0 run in the first half to grab the lead and then never look back against then No. 10 Virginia Tech last Monday night. The win was the third-straight for UNC in Atlantic Coast Conference play, pushing them to 15-4 overall and 5-1 in the ACC.

UNC now enters Tuesday just a half-game behind three teams for first place in the ACC, including Louisville who gave the Tar Heels their lone loss in conference play. The Tar Heels will have the chance to avenge that loss Saturday in the Dean Dome but before then, they need to take care of business on Tuesday night.

While UNC enters on a three-game win streak, the Yellow Jackets enter the game at 11-9 overall and 3-4 in ACC play. They have lost three of their last four games, including blowing a second-half lead at Duke on Saturday.

The Yellow Jackets’ lone conference win in this four-game stretch was a 63-61 win at home against Georgia Tech.

They have been solid on the defensive side of the floor, giving up just 63.6 points per game which is 22nd in the country. The Yellow Jackets held the Blue Devils to 66 points in their loss on the road, a season-low for Duke in the ACC. It was the zone defense that gave Duke trouble in Cameron before they were able to rally to get the win.

During the first half, Georgia Tech looked impressive and it appeared as if they were going to pull off the upset. But a second-half run by the Blue Devils doomed the Yellow Jackets.

For UNC, it will be interesting to see how this long time in-between games impacts them. They shot the ball very well against Virginia Tech and it appears as if their defense has started to turn the corner.

If UNC comes out flat, it could spell doom for them on the road.

UNC key to victory

Setting the tone early on the road will be big for the Tar Heels on Tuesday night. Any road game in the conference is no easy task and with 8 days off in-between games, we would love to see the Tar Heels start the game off hot.

Against the Hokies, UNC had a little bit of a slow start at home but was able to erase that deficit and take control of the game. With a commanding lead at halftime, UNC never really had to worry in the second half.

Let’s see if the Tar Heels can come out and jump on the Yellow Jackets early.

Georgia Tech key to victory

The zone defense. As we mentioned before, Georgia Tech’s defense gave Duke fits as the Blue Devils had just 8 points in the first 8 minutes of the game.

The Yellow Jackets will put that zone to use again against UNC and hope that the Tar Heels struggle from the floor. If that happens, that should give Georgia Tech a chance to get up early and keep the crowd into it.

But if UNC comes out and beats the zone right away, the Yellow Jackets could be in some trouble.

What you need to know

Who? UNC 15-4 (5-1 in ACC) at Georgia Tech 11-9 (3-4 in ACC)
When? Tuesday, January 29, 7pm  EST
Where? McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Georgia
TV? ACC Network
Radio? Tar Heels Sports Network
All-Time series? North Carolina leads 66-25
Prediction? UNC 69, Georgia Tech 61