UNC Basketball vs. N.C. State: Game preview, info, prediction and more

The UNC Basketball program returns home as they look to complete a season sweep of N.C. State in the Dean Dome on Tuesday night

The North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball program hasn’t had many bright spots to cheer about this season. But one of those bright spots came at the hands of N.C. State as the Tar Heels beat the Wolfpack back in January 75-65.

Now a month later, the two teams will meet again and the Tar Heels are looking for their first win since beating the Wolfpack on January 27th as they are riding a seven-game losing streak.

Times have been tough for UNC this year including this losing streak in which they have lost four of those seven games by one-possession. In all four of those games, UNC has had the lead and even had a double-digit lead in a few of those.

UNC us coming off a double-digit loss on Saturday at Louisville as they fell to 10-17 overall and 3-13 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It’s been a struggle for UNC this season and that’s putting it lightly.

The Tar Heels will open up this stretch of their final four games of the conference season with a home matchup against the Wolfpack on Tuesday night. UNC still has N.C. State, Syracuse, Wake Forest and Duke before the conference tournament begins in just two weeks.

Despite falling behind early in the first meeting, UNC didn’t let it phase them and climb back into the game before taking over in the second half. It was one of the best games of the year for the Tar Heels in that win and they will hope to replicate that again.

For UNC, they could be without junior forward Garrison Brooks as his status for Tuesday’s game is still uncertain. Brooks missed Saturday’s game with a illness and hasn’t practiced in full just yet.

The junior is UNC’s top scorer, rebounder and shooter in terms of field goal percentage this season and without him, the Tar Heels really struggled vs. Louisville. Armando Bacot, Walker Miller and Brandon Huffman all saw time against Louisville and Bacot played 33 minutes after getting the start. But it was clear the Tar Heels missed Brooks.

As we enter this game, UNC might have to rely on some players they didn’t expect to come up big and deliver. Let’s get into our preview.

Key to the Game

Dominating the boards. One thing that hasn’t changed for UNC despite their struggles has been their ability to rebound. The Tar Heels are one of the best teams in the nation in total rebounding as they are led by Bacot and Brooks in the paint.

Being a dominant rebounding team often leads to fewer chances for opposing teams on the offensive end and opens things up for the fast break. While UNC has struggled with the fast break and their style of play, they are limiting teams from getting those key second chances.

In the first meeting vs. the Wolfpack, UNC was able to win the rebounding battle 42-31 and it was  a big reason why they came out victorious. The Tar Heels grabbed 20 defensive rebounds, limiting the Wolfpack’s chances with stingy defense. Let’s see if they can do that again in this one.

Player to Watch

Let’s go with the freshman Bacot in this one. Bacot had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds the last time these two played and he will need to come up big again, especially if Brooks is out.

There have been some worries about Bacot’s offensive game in the post but overall he hasn’t had a terrible freshman season. There is certainly a lot of room to grow and Bacot is one of those guys to keep and eye on down the stretch in terms of progression.

Ideally, you would like to see Bacot show a lot of improvement as we get set for next season.

What you need to know

What?  N.C. State 17-10 (8-8 in ACC) AT North Carolina 10-17 (3-13 in ACC)
When? Tuesday, Feb. 25, 9:00 p.m. ET
Where? Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ESPN
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-time series? UNC leads 113-57
Last meeting? UNC beat N.C. State 75-65 on Jan. 27, 2020
Line? NA
Prediction? UNC 72, N.C. State 69