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UNC Basketball vs Louisville: Game info, preview and more

By Alec Lasley

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 21: Garrison Brooks #15 and the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrtate during the second half of their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Dean Smith Center on January 21, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 103-82. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 21: Garrison Brooks #15 and the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrtate during the second half of their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Dean Smith Center on January 21, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 103-82. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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UNC basketball travels to Louisville trying to get revenge on the Cardinals who dominated their first matchup this season.

After handing the Tar Heels Roy Williams’ largest home loss in Chapel Hill in their first matchup, the Cardinals play host this time as North Carolina looks to get revenge from earlier this season.

The Cardinals have won six games in a row, but are heading into their toughest stretch of the season as they play at Virginia Tech, at Florida State, and at home against Duke, all following their matchup with the Tar Heels this weekend.

Winning five of the last six by double-digits, Louisville is playing its best basketball of the season which has the Cardinals up to No. 15 in the AP Top 25.

In the first matchup, the Cardinals shot 52 percent from the field and 43 percent from three, making 11, while holding the Tar Heels to just 35 percent from the field.

Ranked 68th in the NCAA in rebounding, with 38 per game, they out rebounded the Tar Heels by nine in the first matchup.

Holding opponents to just 68 points per game, Louisville held Carolina to 62 points, a team that averages 87.6 points per game and ranks third in the NCAA.

It was only the second time all season that the Tar Heels scored less than 70 points.

Steven Enoch was huge for the Cardinals off the bench with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Dwayne Sutton had a near triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and zero turnovers.

UNC key to victory

Though the Tar Heels’ defense has become much better and sound as of late, they are only as good as their three-point defense.

The Cardinals rank in the top third of the country in three-point shooting at about 36 percent, and rank in the top-100 in total three-point attempts. In their first matchup, the Cardinals shot 11-for-26, outscoring Carolina by 24 points from deep.

Even though the Tar Heels have been shooting it at a higher clip than the 3-for-22 performance in their initial matchup with Louisville. If Carolina can keep Louisville’s attempts from three down, then they will be able to outscore the Cardinals on two’s with the Tar Heels’ offense oozing with confidence over the past few games.

Louisville key to victory

The Cardinals will need another great effort on the boards in this game.

Because they are ranked just 238th in adjusted tempo according to KenPom, and having held the Tar Heels to four less possessions per game in their first matchup, their dominance on the boards gave them a handful of second-chance opportunities.

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With 10 offensive rebounds in Chapel Hill, right at their average per game on the season, they only rank 156th in the country in that category.

Guys like Malik Williams and Steven Enoch will have to be big on the glass, helping out Jordon Nwora and Dwayne Sutton, who combine for almost 40 percent of the Cardinals’ rebounds on the season.

What you need to know

Who? UNC16-4 (6-1 in ACC) at Louisville 16-5 (7-1 in ACC)
When? Saturday, February 2, 2:00 pm  EST
Where? KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY
TV? ESPN
Radio? Tar Heels Sports Network
All-Time series? North Carolina leads 13-5
Prediction? UNC 76, Louisville 69

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