UNC Basketball takes on Michigan in inaugural Jumpman Invitational
The UNC basketball program will look to keep its win streak going, as they take on Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational on Wednesday night.
North Carolina, the home of Michael Jordan, will be competing in the inaugural Jumpman Invitational on Wednesday night.
Similar to the women’s program, the UNC basketball team will take on Michigan in this year’s event. The Tar Heels are riding a three-game winning streak and are coming off an emotional overtime victory against another Big Ten opponent in the Ohio State University.
ESPN. Wednesday, December 21. 441. UNC -5. 7-3. 485. 8-4. 7 PM EST
After a brutal four-game losing streak, Hubert Davis’ team has been playing better as of late. With this being their final non-conference test before ACC fully gets underway, can the Tar Heels find a way to roll into the holiday break on a winning streak?
Key To Victory for North Carolina
This is a much different-looking Wolverines team than the one we saw a season ago, as the majority of the team’s roster has departed.
Michigan has struggled in two particular areas: rebounding the basketball and forcing turnovers.
North Carolina is known to crash the offensive glass, something they should be able to do often against the Wolverines. Michigan has grabbed just 72 percent of its defensive rebound attempts, which leaves plenty of room for the Tar Heels to capitalize with some second-chance points.
Defensively, Michigan has struggled mightily to force turnovers, as they are one of the worst in the country in that area. If the likes of Caleb Love and RJ Davis can take care of the basketball, North Carolina should have plenty of opportunities against a defense that has been subpar at best.
What to Watch For
The battle of Armando Bacot and Hunter Dickinson will be the storyline in this one.
Two star big men battling it out in the post. Bacot got the better of the last matchup, as Dickinson will look to win this upcoming battle.
If one of these players gets in foul trouble early, it could be an advantage for the opposing team. North Carolina may be able to sustain foul trouble issues better due to its frontcourt depth, but getting Dickinson to the bench (similar to last year’s matchup), would be a huge boost for the Tar Heels to work with.
Last Meeting
The Tar Heels and Wolverines last met on December 1, 2021, as North Carolina pulled off a 21-point victory at the Dean Smith Center.
Caleb Love was the star of the game for the Tar Heels, as his 22 points led all scorers. Armando Bacot put together an 11-point, 14-rebound double-double performance, while Dawson Garcia scored in double figures for the UNC basketball program.
Michigan standout Hunter Dickinson was limited to just 18 minutes due to foul trouble, as he recorded just four points and five rebounds for the Wolverines.
Projected Starters
No. 4 R.J. Davis (Jr., 6-0, 175) – 15.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.1 apg
No. 2 Caleb Love (Jr., 6-4, 200) – 18.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.7 apg
No. 1 Leaky Black (Gr., 6-9 205) – 6.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.3 apg
No. 32 Pete Nance (Gr. 6-11, 230) – 12.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 apg
No. 5 Armando Bacot (Sr., 6-11, 235) – 17.5 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Next. Court look for the Jumpman Invitational. dark
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