ACC Tournament: UNC vs. Louisville preview, game info and more

The North Carolina Tar Heels will open up their ACC Tournament on Thursday night as they take on seventh-seeded Louisville with a trip to the semifinals on the line

It will be North Carolina vs. Louisville round 3 on Thursday night after the Cardinals beat Notre Dame on Wednesday night to advance to the next round of the 2019 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

The two teams will meet for the third time this season, splitting the first two matchups with the road team winning each game.

Louisville handed the Tar Heels their first ACC loss of the season in blowout fashion back in January, giving UNC their worst loss at home in the Roy Williams era. Since then, UNC has been red-hot losing just one of their last 15 games including a big road win at Louisville. The only other team to beat UNC in ACC play this season was Virginia.

The Tar Heels enter this game with hopes of making it back to the ACC Championship Game but this time winning it. UNC wasn’t a top four seed last year and had to play the extra game, beginning their tournament on Wednesday.

But the Heels rallied off three-straight wins, including beating Duke, before falling to Virginia in the Championship.

For UNC, they are also hoping to improve their chances at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament come next week. The Tar Heels pretty much need to avoid an early exit and pick up a few more wins. Winning the ACC Tournament would give UNC a No. 1 seed and possibly the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

First things thirst though, UNC has to take care of Louisville.

The Cardinals have had some struggles closing out games this season, leading Duke by 20+ in the second half before blowing the lead and losing the game. Then just last week, they had a six-point lead in the second half on the road at Virginia before losing.

They have looked good at times this year and it won’t be easy for the Tar Heels. UNC certainly can’t look ahead to a potential third meeting with Duke on Friday and needs to come out and play good basketball.

The first few minutes could tell us a lot on where these two teams are at especially with the Cardinals playing on Wednesday night and UNC last playing on Saturday.

Key to the game for UNC

Come out hot early on. In the first meeting between these two teams, UNC struggled and it was Louisville that got off to the hot start in the Dean Dome. From there, the Cardinals cruised to a big victory.

Fast forward to the second meeting between these two in February where it was the Tar Heels that got off to a hot start and put the game away.

If UNC comes out and shoots the ball very well, they should be able to take control. Factor in that this game is in Charlotte, which should be a pro-UNC crowd, and the Tar Heels could ride the momentum if they get off to a hot start.

Key to the game for Louisville

Limiting the Tar Heels on the board will be huge for the Cardinals on Thursday night. In the first meeting between the two, Louisville owned a 40-31 edge in rebounding. It was one of the rare times the Tar Heels were outrebounded.

Then in the second game this season, UNC owned the edge in their win. It’s clear that UNC is one of the best rebounding teams in the country so Louisville is going to have to do some work on the boards if they want to come out victorious.

Last meeting

The two teams last met at the KFC YUM! Center in Louisville back on Feb. 2. The Tar Heels were able to avenge their first loss to the Cardinals, winning this one 79-69. UNC was in control for most of the game as Luke Maye finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

Fellow senior Cam Johnson scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The win came at a big time for then No. 9 UNC as they would improve to 7-1 in ACC play.

What you need to know

What? (7) Louisville (20-12) vs. (2) North Carolina (26-5)
When? Thursday, March 14 – 7:00 p.m. EST
Where? Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina
TV? ESPN
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-Time series? North Carolina leads series 14-5
Prediction? UNC 83, Louisville 78