UNC Basketball vs. Boston College: Game Preview, info and more

A rough 4-3 January for the UNC basketball program has come near an end as they slide into a mid-week match up against Boston College.

The Tar Heels finally got back in the win column after a two-game nightmare losing streak falling 85-57 to Miami and 98-76 to Wake Forest. UNC got a much-needed win over Virginia Tech at home on Monday as they began a crucial three-game in five-day stretch.

Up next is a Boston College team that comes into the Dean Dome with an overall record of 8-10 while struggling in the Atlantic Coastal Conference. They are 3-5 record in conference play and even worse on the road at 1-5, meanwhile, UNC has yet to lose at home, going a perfect 10-0.

So, what danger is UNC’s undefeated home record in?

None…or it shouldn’t be anyway. This is a game UNC can’t just win, but needs to be in a way that holds zero doubt. When these two teams met earlier in the month, UNC ran Boston College off their court in an easy 91-65 victory. Not much has changed in those few weeks, and a similar outcome should be on the horizon.

Boston College’s biggest issue is their lackluster offense that averages 66 points on the season and has yet to find a true identity. The one player to stop is 6-3 guard Makai Ashton-Langford who leads Boston College in points (13) and assists (3.2). The senior averages 41% from the field and could be a problem in the passing lanes with an average of 1.4 steals a game.

Key To Victory

This game is going to come down to UNC playing to their level and not the competition’s. Even with the struggles, Boston College’s offense brings into this game, the UNC defense is questionable at times.

The other key is getting Caleb Love going early, not late.

Love’s energy often impacts the game whether that’s in a good or bad way. Getting Love going early with drive-in slams versus contested late-in-the-clock jump shots will help keep UNC’s offense at float. Armando Bacot has been a beast in the inside, but even with his work down low it’s not enough to have a consistent flow in offense and this is the perfect game to work on that.

Something To Watch

Bacot double-double streak.

In a season of uncertainty with ups and downs, the major bright spot has been the growth of Bacot’s presence in the paint. As it stands, Bacot is second in the NCAA for double-doubles (15) with a current 10 game streak on the line. This streak includes a 29 point, 22 rebound game with Bacot throwing his name in the hat for the Lute Olson National player of the year award.

Projected Starters

No. 4 R.J. Davis (So., 6-0, 175) – 13.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.4 apg
No. 2 Caleb Love (So., 6-4, 195) – 14.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.4 apg
No. 1 Leaky Black (Sr., 6-8 200) – 3.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg
No. 45 Brady Manek (So. 6-9, 230) – 13.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.7 apg
No. 5 Armando Bacot (Jr., 6-10, 240) – 16.8 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 1.4 bpg

What You Need To Know

WHAT?  Boston College Eagles (8-10,  3-5 ACC) AT North Carolina Tar Heels  (13-6, 5-3 ACC)
WHEN? Wednesday, January 24 – 7:00 p.m. EST
WHERE? Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACC NETWORK
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
LINE? N/A
LAST MEETING? UNC beat Boston College 91-65, January 2, 2022
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads all-time 19-6
PREDICTION? UNC 75, Boston College 68