UNC Basketball vs. Pitt: Game info, preview, prediction and more
By Zack Pearson
The UNC Basketball program returns to the court on Wednesday night in hopes of turning things around in conference play
You can go ahead and throw away the footage from Saturday’s disaster at home vs. Georgia Tech for the North Carolina Tar Heels and just hope it never happens again. After getting dominated in the first half, UNC made it a game but let a then six-win Yellow Jackets team control the game at home in the loss.
But Wednesday is a new day and another opportunity for the Tar Heels to get a win in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
UNC returns to the court on Wednesday night in the Dean E. Smith Center as they get set to take on Pitt in the fourth conference game of the year. With a record of 8-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play, the Tar Heels really need to get back into the win column to have any hope of saving their season.
Even with the struggles the team had in non-conference play, there was a sense that they could get this thing back on track with games against Georgia Tech, Pitt, Clemson and then Pitt again looming before the schedule gets tougher in a few weeks. But it’s not the start they had hoped for.
The Tar Heels have really struggled to score this season, averaging 70.1 points per game. They have only scored 80-plus points in a game just twice this year with both instances resulting in losses. They are shooting just 40.3 percent from the field which ranks 319th and is among the worst in the country.
The good news is that their opponent, Pitt, really struggles on offense as well. The Panthers are averaging 66.3 points per game while shooting a slightly better 41.8 percent from the field.
Pitt’s defense has been stingy at times, allowing just 60.4 points per game. That could be a big challenge for UNC’s offense on Wednesday night.
Key to the Game
Don’t get off to a slow start. That slow start vs. Georgia Tech on Saturday night doomed the Tar Heels in a big way. They didn’t get their first field goal until very late in the first half and started 0-16 from the field.
That simply cannot happen again. You can’t let bad teams jump out to leads and give them hope to stay in the game. That’s exactly what UNC did and if they do it again against Pitt, what does that say about the Tar Heels?
With another home game, I’d love to see UNC jump out and make an early statement against Pitt in this one. They really need a win and getting out to an early lead will certainly help them.
Player to Watch
For this one, we are going with Rechon “Leaky” Black. The sophomore has struggled this season on all ends of the floor. Despite having the tools to be a really good player, Black just hasn’t been consistent and able to put it together.
Black is averaging 5.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting just 34.2 percent from the field.
If he can start getting it going and being consistent, it could help things for the Tar Heels on offense. This would be a great game to start.
What you need to know
What? Pitt 10-4 (1-2 in ACC) AT North Carolina 8-6 (1-2 in ACC)
When? Wednesday, January 8, 7:00 p.m. EST
Where? Dean Smith Center – Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACC Network
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-time series? UNC leads 14-2
Last meeting? UNC beat Pitt 85-60 on Jan. 5, 2019.
Prediction? Pitt 63, UNC 60