UNC Basketball: Tar Heels add Marquette to schedule

For the second-straight week, the UNC Basketball program will face an non-conference opponent in the middle of conference play.

With their game against Boston College postponed next week, Roy Williams and his squad had another open date on their schedule. It was the fifth game postponed and third in as many weeks for the Tar Heels, a team that is sitting on the NCAA Tournament bubble. But like earlier this week, UNC has added an opponent.

The Tar Heels announced on Saturday that they have added Marquette to their schedule and will take on the Golden Eagles in the Dean Dome on Wednesday night:

With this being a very unusual season for all college teams, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to see non-conference games in February. It’s just something we never see in a normal season.

But being able to find an opponent this quick to come to Chapel Hill is something UNC needs. The Tar Heels winter Saturday’s home game against Louisville right on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament and at this point need to stack wins to get in. Not playing these games would be crucial for their chances come March.

The Tar Heels and Golden Eagles have met a total of five times in history and UNC holds the 4-1 edge in those meetings. The last time the two teams met was back in March of 2011 in the NCAA Tournament, a game the Tar Heels won.

For more on the UNC Basketball program, please check back with Keeping It Heel.