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

The UNC Basketball team returns to the court on Tuesday night to tipoff the 2020 ACC Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina

It’s do or die time for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Tuesday will tipoff the 2020 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament as it returns to Greensboro, North Carolina and the Tar Heels are in unfamiliar territory. UNC will begin the tournament as the No. 14 seed this year, as they tied for last in the conference. That means UNC will have to win five games in five days if they want to reach the NCAA Tournament after their struggles this season.

Up first for the Tar Heels is a Virginia Tech team that finished the regular season 16-15 overall and 7-13 in conference play, earning the No. 11 seed.

The Hokies won the only meeting between the two teams this season 79-77 in a double-overtime thriller in Blacksburg. UNC had a late lead and squandered it, eventually falling to the Hokies as part of a five-game win streak. From there, UNC sort of figured things out as they ended that losing streak and won two-straight over Miami and N.C. State.

While UNC suffered another long losing streak later in the year, they have played better as of late and are no ordinary 14 seed. If UNC is clicking, they can hang with anyone in this conference and anything can happen in these tournaments. But the one thing UNC has to do is take it one game at a time and not worry about winning five-straight. They need to just win one a day.

The Hokies are led by Landers Nolley II who is averaging 15.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He was named to the ACC All-Freshman team on Monday, capping off what was an impressive first season in the conference. Nolley II scored 22 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the last meeting between the two teams and was a big reason why the Hokies were able to come back and eventually win the game.

UNC is led by the combination of junior Garrison Brooks and freshman Cole Anthony. The duo were named to the All-ACC teams on Monday, with Brooks picking up second-team honors as well as most improved player while Anthony was on the third team and all-freshman team.

Brooks averaged 16.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game as a junior and led all players in scoring during conference play. Anthony missed some games this season but was really good when he was in. The talented freshman averaged 19.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this year.

If UNC can get Brooks and Anthony going early, they should find success and advance. But if it’s a bad shooting night which we have seen plenty of this season, it could be a short stay in Greensboro.

What to Watch For

Rebounding. This is going to be the key to the game outside of how UNC shoots from the field in this one. The Tar Heels are averaging nearly 7 more rebounds per game this season than the Hokies and if UNC can get out to a good start on the boards, they can control the game.

Good rebounding will also limit the second chances on the defensive end and give UNC some more opportunities on the offensive end. Let’s see how Brooks and freshman Armando Bacot play in this one. They really have the chance to control the paint for UNC.

Player to Watch

Cole Anthony. Yeah, it seems obvious but he didn’t play in the first meeting between the two teams and now he has the chance to lead this team to a win. With the emergence of Brooks and the hot shooting from Brandon Robinson, Anthony doesn’t have to carry the entire load on his back.

Instead, Anthony can relax and play his game which should lead to some success for UNC. This is an opportunity for Anthony to showcase his talent and help carry this team.

What you need to know

What? North Carolina 13-18 (6-14 in ACC) vs. Virginia Tech 16-15 (7-13 in ACC)
When? Tuesday, March 10
Where? Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina
TV? ACCN
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-time series? UNC leads 32-9.
Last meeting? Virginia Tech beat UNC 79-77 in double OT
Line? UNC -3.5
Prediction? UNC 80, Virginia Tech 77