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UNC Basketball vs. Oregon: Preview, game info, prediction and more

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during the first half of their game against the Elon Phoenix at the Dean Smith Center on November 20, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during the first half of their game against the Elon Phoenix at the Dean Smith Center on November 20, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The UNC Basketball team returns to action just a day after they lost their first game of the year vs. Michigan in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament

After suffering their first loss of the 2019-20 college basketball season at the hands of Michigan on Thursday, North Carolina looks to rebound on Friday on the Battle 4 Atlantis consolation game.

The Tar Heels jumped out to a lead over Michigan early on but a run in the first half gave the Wolverines a halftime lead. They would eventually hold off a late UNC rally to win and advance, sending the Tar Heels to 5-1 on the year.

What doomed UNC the most was a 19-point run for the Wolverines in the second half which sealed the deal.

Next up for UNC is a game against No. 11 Oregon who lost to No. 8 Gonzaga on Thursday night in Overtime. It will be a tough test for the Tar Heels as Oregon is a very good team and could give UNC some fits.

For North Carolina, they are going to have to bring their A game in this one. The Ducks are good and ranked that high for a reason as they took No. 8 Gonzaga down to the wire. If UNC comes out and sleep walks early on, it could mean trouble for the Tar Heels.

Key to Victory for UNC

The guard play. Oregon has guards Payton Pritchard and Anthony Mathis playing at a high level and averaging in double digits. Pritchard is the premier player in the offense and Oregon’s leading scorer at 18.8 points per game. Mathis is averaging 13.5 points per game and has been a nice compliment in the backcourt to Pritchard.

For North Carolina, the only stable guard play they have had has been from Cole Anthony. Other than that Christian Keeling, Rechon Black and Brandon Robinson have really struggled. The Tar Heels got Robinson back on Wednesday and he’s averaged 12 points per game in his two games but he’s going to need to be consistent.

The Tar Heels are flat out not getting enough scoring to compliment Anthony as it’s been one other person each time. They haven’t had multiple contributors scoring consistently at all this season. That has to change and it should start on Friday.

Player to Watch

I’m going back to the guard play for this one. Christian Keeling has to show up in this one and make a difference. He scored just 3 points in the loss to Michigan and hasn’t been much of a factor at all this season.

It could be early season jitters for the Charleston Southern graduate but if he doesn’t get going soon, UNC will continue to struggle.

Keeling not only needs to turn it up offensively but he can improve on the defensive side of the ball as well. This will be a huge test for Keeling going up against the Ducks.

What you need to know

What? No. 11 Oregon (6-1) vs. No. 6 North Carolina (5-1)
When? Friday, November 29, 11:30 a.m. EST
Where? Imperial Arena – Nassau, Bahamas
TV? ESPN
Radio? Tar Heels Sports Network
All-time series? UNC leads 5-0
Last meeting? UNC won 77-76 (April 1, 2017)
Prediction? Oregon 68, UNC 65

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