UNC Basketball vs. Wofford: Preview, Game info and prediction

The UNC Basketball program returns to the court on Sunday to host Wofford in a special game played at Carmichael Arena

It’s been a while since we have seen the North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team hit the court. And maybe that’s for the better.

The Tar Heels are on a disappointing two-game losing streak with losses to Ohio State and Virginia last week so maybe a break was much-needed. Now seven days after they dropped their road game at Virginia, the Tar Heels are throwing it back a little bit.

Sunday’s game vs. Wofford will be the first for the Tar Heels in seven days but it will also be the first time they have played at Carmichael Arena since 2010 and before that the last time the Tar Heels played in the historic arena was 1986. It will certainly be a nostalgic night for many Tar Heels fans and the lucky ones that are in attendance.

For the game, the Tar Heels really need a good showing and a win. They are 6-3 on the year but as we mentioned, have lost two-straight. Beating Wofford team that has struggled and doing it convincingly is key. This team really needs a win where everyone is consistent and they show that they are better than how they have played.

Wofford is led by senior guard Nathan Hoover who is averaging 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game this season. The terriers lost their best player, Fletcher MaGee, and Hoover has become their most valuable player.

The Tar Heels are going to need to play solid defense on Hoover and force others to beat them on the court. UNC should also have the advantage in the post. The Terriers are not a good rebounding team and UNC really needs to take advantage of that with Garrison Brooks and Armando Bacot in the post. Grabbing rebounds and feeding the paint should be a big focus for the Tar Heels.

Key to the game

Get out to a fast start and don’t look back. It’s very important that UNC dominates in this one right away and puts their foot down. UNC really needs a win and an impressive showing on Sunday and Wofford just might be an opponent to do that against.

This is a game UNC really should win but more importantly, they need to be consistent.

Hit shots, rebound and play solid defense. Get that done and look efficient doing so will help restore sone faith. With a big road game at Gonzaga ahead, the Tar Heels need to make sure they don’t look ahead, either.

Player to Watch

Let’s go with Anthony Harris and Jeremiah Francis. Yep, that’s two players. Both freshmen made their season debuts in the loss to Virginia as they were cleared for contact after sitting out the first eight games of the season. Harris was 2 for 2 for four points while Francis split his two free throw attempts and finished with one point.

Getting these two healthy could be a big key to the Tar Heels’ offense finding more success this year. It’s probably unrealistic for them to come in and have an impact in the form of double-digit points right away but showing they can contribute in this one could go a long way.

It will be interesting to see not only how both play but how many minutes they get and when they do come into the game.

What you need to know

What? Wofford 6-4 AT No. 17 North Carolina 6-3
When? Sunday, December 15, 4:00 p.m. ET
Where? Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACC Network
Radio? Tar Heels Sports Network
All-time series? UNC leads 2-1
Last meeting? UNC beat Wofford 78-67 on Nov. 6, 2018
Prediction? UNC 72, Wofford 60