UNC Basketball vs. N.C. State: Game preview, info, prediction and more
By Zack Pearson
The UNC Basketball program takes on N.C. State Monday night, seeking their second-straight win and their third conference win of the season
The North Carolina Tar Heels will look to make it two-straight wins for the first time since the end of December when they hit the road and take on N.C. State in Raleigh on Monday.
UNC is coming off a big win over Miami, beating the short-handed Hurricanes 94-71 on Saturday afternoon. For the Tar Heels, it ended a six-game losing skid in the Atlantic Coast Conference and was a refreshing feeling to get back into that win column.
Although UNC won’t have Cole Anthony for Monday night, it’s a chance to get a win streak going and keep things moving in the right direction.
Their opponent is a Wolfpack team that enters the game at 14-6 overall and 5-4 in ACC play. They dropped their last conference game to Georgia Tech on Saturday but the Wolfpack have shown signs of improvement under Kevin Keatts this season. N.C. State is on track to make the NCAA Tournament as it stands and this could be a big win for the Tar Heels as we enter the final week of January.
While it took a bit for Roy Williams to pass his mentor, Dean Smith, on the all-time wins list, the head coach has had tremendous success vs. the Wolfpack in his career. Williams enters this game 35-4 all-time vs. the Wolfpack and UNC has a six-game win streak in Raleigh. But that win streak will be in jeopardy as this UNC team has really struggled this season.
The Wolfpack are led by senior guard C.J. Bryce who is averaging 13.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field. Bryce is one of four upperclassmen that have been fantastic for N.C. State this season and are a big reason why they only have six total losses entering this game.
In addition to Bryce, N.C. State is getting 13.2 points and 6.5 assists per game from senior guard Markell Johnson, 12.8 points from junior forward D.J. Funderburk and 11.1 points from junior Devon Daniels. The four have been the catalysts for the Wolfpack and UNC will have to try to limit their production in this one.
It won’t be easy but you never know what can happen in these games, so there is a chance for the Tar Heels to potentially steal one on the road.
Key to the Game
Second chances. The Tar Heels are still a good rebounding team despite their record and struggles this season. They are one of the best rebounding teams in the country and if they can do that well on Monday night they may have a shot.
UNC will need to give themselves second chances on the offensive glass. If they can rebound their missed shots and find a way to extend possessions ending with points, they will have a legit chance vs. the Wolfpack.
On the defensive end, UNC will need to limit the chances for the Wolfpack. Keeping them off the glass and cleaning up the misses will be HUGE for UNC. It will also allow them to get into transition and run the floor.
N.C. State averages 36.7 rebounds per game which is about 10 less than UNC. It will be essential for the Tar Heels to keep them off the glass early and often.
Player to Watch
Brandon Robinson. The senior set a new career-high in the win over Miami on Saturday afternoon after missing Wednesday’s game vs. Virginia Tech. It was clear that the Tar Heels really could have used Robinson in that tough road game and on Monday they will need him to come up big again.
Robinson got off to a hot start vs. Miami early on and it helped UNC build a big lead. It’s hard seeing the Tar Heels jump out to a big lead in this one but Robinson will still have to play a big role for the Tar Heels especially with how good N.C. State is on the perimeter.
What you need to know
What? North Carolina 9-10 (2-6 in ACC) at N.C. State 14-6 (5-4 in ACC)
When? Monday, January 27, 7:00 p.m. EST
Where? PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina
TV? ESPN
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-time series? UNC leads 112-57
Last meeting? UNC beat N.C. State 113-96 on Tuesday, Feb. 5 2019.
Line? N.C. State -5.5
Prediction? N.C. State 73, UNC 68