UNC Basketball vs. Louisville: Game preview, info, prediction and more

The UNC Basketball team hits the road as they take on Louisville on Saturday. Can the Tar Heels end their losing streak?

The North Carolina Tar Heels are back in action after another disappointing loss on the road at Notre Dame earlier this week. But this game doesn’t get much easier.

UNC heads to Louisville to take on a Cardinals team that is currently in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference and hoping to build on that lead with the Tar Heels coming to town. After two straight losses last week, Louisville rebounded with a big win over Syracuse on Wednesday and then watched N.C. State upset Duke to propel them back into first place.

The Cardinals have been really good this season and at times have looked like a national championship contender. But at other times, they have struggled and there are some concerns if they can truly win it all or not.

Louisville enters the game ranked No. 11 and a 22-5 record, including that 13-3 conference record.

The Tar Heels? Well, you pretty much know the story by now. UNC has lost six-straight with four of those games being by one possession. In three of those games, UNC’s opponent made the game-winning shot with under two seconds left, ending the game in heartbreak. The Tar Heels are due for some good luck right?

Possibly. But it’s hard imagining it coming on Saturday. The Cardinals are a good team and playing at the KFC Yum Center isn’t an easy place to play at. It’s tough seeing the Tar Heels taking this one but their best chance will be a big game on the wing. You know what you’re going to get from Cole Anthony but the Tar Heels are going to need someone else to step up in the guard spot as well.

A player like Christian Keeling, who is having a fine February, could really make an impact on this game. Someone else to watch is sophomore guard Rechon “Leaky” Black, he’s struggled of late and needs a strong finish to the end of his season.

Louisville is led by junior forward Jordan Nwora who is averaging 18.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He’s been by far Louisville’s best player this season and is a mismatch for the Tar Heels. They will need to try to slow him down as much as possible and not let him get hot.

Key to the Game

Shoot incredibly well. Yeah, it sounds cliche but North Carolina is a very poor shooting team and has been that way all season long. There’s now way around it that they are not an efficient team on offense and struggle to score.

For UNC to win this game, they are going to have to have one of their best shooting performances of the season.

It’s going to take more than just a big game from Anthony, Garrison Brooks and Brandon Robinson too. UNC will really need to find a way to score early and often. Play their style of game and execute.

Player to Watch

Senior Brandon Robinson made his return to the team on Monday and although he didn’t start, he was effective off the bench. I think we will see Robinson start on Saturday vs. Louisville and hopefully provide some much needed help offensively.

Robinson could be a big key to this game with his perimeter shooting. But he has to be on and drain his open looks.

What you need to know

What?  North Carolina 10-16 (3-12 in ACC) at Louisville 22-5 (13-3 in ACC)
When? Saturday, Feb. 24, 4:00 p.m. EST
Where? KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky
TV? ESPN
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-time series? UNC leads 15-5
Last meeting? UNC beat Louisville 83-70 on March 14, 2019.
Line? Louisville – 9.5
Prediction? Louisville 80, UNC 63