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

Last week was an up and down one for the UNC basketball program as they sit on the bubble a few weeks before selection Sunday. Following a loss to Pitt at home on Wednesday, a brutal one at that, the Tar Heels were able to bounce back in a big way beating Virginia Tech on the road in a must-win game.

The stakes were high for UNC going into Saturday as a loss all but eliminated them from the NCAA Tournament while a win gave them their first Quad 1 win of the year. Now, they enter another very important week and with just four games remaining including one at Duke, the Tar Heels need to get at least three wins here to stay alive.

That stats on Monday night with a home matchup against Louisville.

The Cardinals have been a mess this season, entering this game at 12-14 overall and 6-10 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. They did beat Clemson on Saturday but prior to that they had lost seven straight including an overtime loss to UNC earlier in February. The Cardinals have been without head coach Chris Mack who was fired in late January and this is a program trying to play spoiler here late in the season.

While the Tar Heels did get the win at Louisville a few weeks ago, it very well could have gone the other way. And if the Tar Heels aren’t careful on Monday, they could be in danger of losing two-straight home games to opponents that are ranked 100 or worse in NET rankings.

It’s simple for UNC. Get the win on Monday and leave no doubt otherwise you’re going to be on the first round out or worse line come Tuesday morning.

Key to Victory

Guard play. This team only goes as far as Caleb Love and R.J. Davis will take them and that’s been clear of late. In the loss to Duke the guards struggled, the same thing happened last week against Pitt. But in wins, the guards play well and that showed with Love scoring 21 at Virginia Tech.

The two guards have been inconsistent this year but where we are at in the standings, they need to come out hot tonight and play their best basketball of the season down the stretch. If that happens, UNC should be able to earn a win.

Something to Watch

Not falling behind early at home. This was a problem in UNC’s last home game as the Tar Heels found themselves in a double-digit hole in the first half to Pitt. They never recovered and it doomed them.

UNC needs to use their home court to their advantage and take Louisville completely out of the game tonight from the start. Get up on them and build the lead. If UNC can bury them early, it should be a stress-free night for the Tar Heels.

Last Meeting

The Tar Heels won an overtime thriller that had some controversy in terms of fouls late in the game. UNC held off a late run by Louisville to steal the game on the road 90-83 and extend their win streak back on February 1st. Brady Manek led the way with 24 points.

Projected Starters

No. 4 R.J. Davis (So., 6-0, 175) – 13.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.4 apg
No. 2 Caleb Love (So., 6-4, 195) – 15.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.6 apg
No. 1 Leaky Black (Sr., 6-8 200) – 4.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.5 apg
No. 45 Brady Manek (Sr. 6-9, 230) – 13.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.7 apg
No. 5 Armando Bacot (Jr., 6-10, 240) – 16.2 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg

What To Watch For

WHAT?  Louisville Cardinals (12-14, 6-10 in ACC) AT North Carolina Tar Heels  (19-8, 11-5 ACC)
WHEN? Monday, February 21- 6:00 p.m. CST
WHERE? Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ESPN
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
LINE? UNC -9.5
LAST MEETING? UNC defeated Louisville 80-73 on February 1, 2022.
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads all-time 17-6
PREDICTION? UNC 72, Louisville 67

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