UNC Basketball looks to finish ACC/Big Ten Challenge on good note

In the final ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the UNC basketball program will look to end their current two-game losing streak as they take on Indiana.

Enjoy it while you can- tomorrow night will be the final ACC/Big Ten Challenge game for the UNC basketball program.

Earlier in the week, it was announced that the challenge will end a 23-year run this season, as the ACC will compete against the SEC in a similar format starting next season. Although we’re excited about the possibilities of the new ACC/SEC Challenge, the Tar Heels have some unfinished business to take care of before worrying about that.

After losing two consecutive games in the Phil Knight Invitational, Hubert Davis and North Carolina look to end the skid with another tough contest- this one against No. 10 Indiana.

The Hoosiers have won each of its first six contests, and are coming off a blowout victory over Jackson State. Without a doubt, the Tar Heels will have their work cut out for them once again.

How can North Carolina go on the road and take home a win to end the ACC/Big Ten Challenge off right?

Key To Victory for North Carolina

Shot selection has been sub-par early on in the season for the Tar Heels.

This is definitely something that can not continue.

North Carolina needs to find ways to move the ball, especially with generating looks in the post. Armando Bacot needs to be fed closer to the basket, and the likes of Caleb Love and RJ Davis need to do a better job at attacking the rim and making things happen in the paint.

When the backcourt duo attacks the basket, the Tar Heels’ offense flows better.

When they settle for bad looks from deep, that’s when the trouble begins.

For a veteran team, the shot selection is unacceptable, to say the least. This needs to change (quickly) if the UNC basketball program aims to return to Chapel Hill with a victory.

Something to Watch For

The Tar Heels are not only coming off a stretch in which they played three games in four days (including a four-overtime game against Alabama) and traveled cross-country for this matchup.

Both teams have some key injuries to keep an eye on.

Indiana star Trayce Jackson-Davis has been dealing with some lingering back issues.

UNC basketball star Armando Bacot has a right ankle injury, while fifth-year senior Leaky Black also went down with an ankle injury in the Tar Heels’ latest loss.

Even though Davis expects his two standouts to play on Wednesday night, it is definitely something to keep an eye on.

With the number of minutes the starters have logged, plus the injuries to Bacot and Black, how will the Tar Heels’ key contributors look in this one? Will Davis rely more on the bench, or will he continue to allocate the minutes to his limited rotation?

Last Matchup

On November 30, 2016, the then-ranked No. 13 Hoosiers upset the No. 3 ranked Tar Heels by a score of 76-67.

The Tar Heels struggled from three-point range, knocking down just six of their 28 attempts. Justin Jackson scored a game-high 21 points, as he, and Kennedy Meeks were the only North Carolina players in double-figures.

All five Indiana starters scored in double-figures, including O.G. Anunoby, who had a team-high 16 points in the win.

Projected Starters

No. 4 R.J. Davis (Jr., 6-0, 175) – 15.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.4 apg
No. 2 Caleb Love (Jr., 6-4, 200) – 20.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.4 apg
No. 1 Leaky Black (Gr., 6-9 205) – 8.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.1 apg
No. 32 Pete Nance (Gr. 6-11, 230) – 11.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.1 apg
No. 5 Armando Bacot (Sr., 6-11, 235) – 16.7 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg

What You Need To Know

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (5-2) at Indiana Hoosiers (6-0)
WHEN? Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 9:15 PM EST
WHERE? Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana
TV? ESPN
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
LINE? Indiana -6.5
LAST MEETING? Indiana defeated North Carolina 76-67 on November 30, 2016
ALL-TIME SERIES? Indiana leads the series 9-6
PREDICTION? Indiana 87, UNC 81