UNC Basketball vs. Boston College: Game info, preview, prediction and more
By Zack Pearson
The UNC Basketball team returns to the Dean Dome court on Saturday to host Boston College before a tough upcoming stretch
The North Carolina Tar Heels are hoping to make it three-straight wins in Atlantic Coast Conference play when they return home to host Boston College on Saturday afternoon in the Dean Dome.
UNC is coming off a stretch in which they beat Miami handedly at home and then N.C. State on the road just a few days later. The two-straight wins got UNC to back to .500 overall on the season at 10-10 and 3-6 in ACC play this year. While their NCAA Tournament chances remain very slim, this is a bright spot in what has been a very cloudy season.
The other big storyline regarding this game is the health of freshman point guard Cole Anthony who has missed the past 11 games with a knee injury. Anthony provided an update on where he’s at with his knee injury and there’s slim hope that he could return for Saturday or at least next week when UNC takes on Florida State and Duke.
For the Tar Heels, getting their win streak to three is key.
If they want any shot at making the NCAA Tournament, they are going to have to go on a big run and beat at least one of the ranked teams left on their schedule in Duke, Florida State and Louisville. Stacking wins is important right now and Saturday provides another winnable game for the Tar Heels.
Boston College enters the game at 10-11 overall and 4-6 in conference play.
The Eagles are led by former Duke recruit Derryck Thornton, who transferred from the Blue Devils to Southern Cal and then back into the ACC with Boston College. The point guard enters the game averaging 12.6 points, 3 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 39.6 percent from the field in his senior year. Thorton has been the catalyst for Boston College’s offense which averages 64.5 points per game.
Their defense has been solid for the most part. Boston College is allowing 68.3 points per game and goes up against a UNC offense that is averaging just over 70 on the year but has scored 75, 94 and 77 in their past three games, going 2-1 and the only loss coming in overtime. That will be an interesting matchup to watch early on in this one.
As for the edge, it could be rebounding,
The Tar Heels are still among the nation’s best in total rebounding averaging 43.6 rebounds per game compared to the 33.1 that Boston College averages. That could be the big difference in the game for both sides.
Let’s get into our preview.
Key to the Game
Don’t come out flat. The Tar Heels have gotten off to good starts in each of their past three games, going 2-1 in that span. They haven’t dug themselves into a hole and instead have played some good basketball. Despite trailing by seven to N.C. State early on, UNC rebounded and grabbed control of the game en-route to a victory.
They will need to do that again on Saturday in front of the home crowd. Get out to a good, healthy lead and just execute your gameplan and you will be fine. Let’s see if UNC can do that and make it three-straight wins.
Player to Watch
Armando Bacot. The freshman big man is having a solid season, averaging close to a double-double with 10.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game but there have been some struggles. He still needs to develop a post game on offense which would make him that much better. He’s not a legit scoring threat just yet but he is improving as the games go on.
Bacot is a force defensively, however. In addition to the 8.1 rebounds per game he’s also averaging 1.4 blocks per game. He’s shown the ability to be a legit defender in the paint and has gone up against some experienced players in the post. I’ll be looking for Bacot to continue to develop and improve as time goes on and Saturday is another chance for that.
What you need to know
What? Boston College 10-11 (4-6 in ACC) AT North Carolina 10-10 (3-6 in ACC)
When? Saturday, Feb. 1, 6:00 p.m. EST
Where? Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACC Network
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-time series? UNC leads 18-5
Last meeting? UNC beat Boston College 79-66 on Tuesday, March 5.
Line? N/A
Prediction? UNC 72, Boston College 64