Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball vs. NC State: Game info, preview, prediction and more

By Davis Wallace

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 12: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on January 12, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Louisville won 83-62. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 12: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on January 12, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Louisville won 83-62. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The Tar Heels will look to defeat the Wolfpack for the second time this season after winning the first matchup in Raleigh.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are hoping to continue their winning ways against the NC State Wolfpack as they clash for a second time this season. The Tar Heels are looking for their third straight victory against the Wolfpack and their 18th win this season.

The Wolfpack are currently on a two-game slide including scoring the lowest total points by a ranked team in the shot clock era (24) against Virginia Tech last Saturday. With a victory in Chapel Hill, the Wolfpack would at least split the season series for a second straight season.

The last time the Tar Heels lost at home to the Wolfpack was last season by a score of 95-91 in overtime. This was only the second time the Tar Heels lost a home game to the Wolfpack in the Roy Williams era.

Williams received win number 859 against Louisville over the weekend which puts him in seventh place and only 17 wins behind Adolph Rupp.

The Tar Heels are going for their fourth-straight conference win by at least 10 points and fifth-straight overall.  With a win, the Tar Heels will tie the Virginia Cavaliers with the best record in the ACC with a record of 8-1. The Tar Heels face off with the Cavaliers on Monday, February 11 for what could be the top spot in the ACC.

Keys to the game for North Carolina

The Tar Heels need to continue to protect the ball and limit the second chance opportunities for their opponents. During their win streak, they have averaged 13 turnovers per game. Not ideal, but the number is a lot lower than it used to be.

Yes, that number should be closer to nine per game, and it’s possible of getting there if silly mistakes aren’t made.

Also, during the win streak, there’s been a combination of Coby White/Cam Johnson/Kenny Williams hitting at least two three-pointers in all three games. Against Virginia Tech White hit five, Johnson hit two, and Williams hit two. Against Georgia Tech White hit five and Johnson hit four. Against Louisville, Johnson hit three and Williams two.

This trend needs to continue in order for the Tar Heels to capture this victory.

Finally, the Tar Heels need to continue to crash the glass the way they have been. Over the last three games, the Tar Heels have outrebounded their opponents in total rebounds and it has been a success to their winning streak.

Keys to the game for NC State

The Wolfpack need to match the Tar Heels’ tempo; normally that isn’t suggested but Coach Keatts runs a free-following offense that is fast and has a lot of ball movement. They average over 80 points per game which is top 30 in the nation.

The Wolfpack generate most of their offense from the free throw line and the three-point line. Torin Dorn and Braxton Beverly will need to get Carolina’s guards in foul trouble, score at least 15 points each if they want to revenge last month’s loss.

What you need to know

What? NC State 16-6 (4-5) at UNC 17-4 (7-1)
When? Tuesday, February 4 – 8:00 pm EST
Where? Dean E. Smith Center – Chapel Hill, NC
TV? ACC Network
Radio? Tar Heels Sports Network
All-Time series? UNC leads 111-57
Prediction? UNC 92-80

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