UNC Basketball: Keeping It Heel Staff Picks vs Virginia

The UNC basketball team needs to secure a signature win for their NCAA Tournament resume on Saturday night.

It was far from pretty, but the UNC basketball team did just enough to “survive and advance” against Notre Dame on Wednesday night.  With the Heels currently just outside the NCAA Tournament cut-line according to most projections, every game feels like a must-win.  The biggest flaw on Carolina’s resume is a lack of a signature win, and with time running out Saturday’s matchup with Virginia looks like their best remaining chance to pick one up.  Will the Heels protect the Smith Center and pick up their biggest win of the season against UVA?  Find out what our staff thinks below.

Nick Delahanty

This is a big game for the Tar Heels, and I really do think they’ll be ready to play.

Few key reasons here:

1. The game is at home. I expect the crowd to be amped up, which will only favor the home team.
2. Remember- other than one minute and 20 seconds of the first matchup, North Carolina didn’t have Armando Bacot or Pete Nance. The size factor should play a major factor in this one, as they have the ability to control the boards and give the Tar Heels some much-needed second-chance opportunities.
3. As poorly as they’ve shot the ball as of late, I think we’ll see them come out comfortable on their home floor. I expect a better shooting performance.

As Boston College proved a few days ago, Virginia is beatable. If the Tar Heels can make this a higher-scoring affair, they should be able to win this one.

Prediction: North Carolina 74, Virginia 66

Mark DeMott

The Tar Heels’ victory over Notre Dame was critical in staying alive, but it did little to actually make their NCAA Tournament resume more impressive.

Saturday’s game against UVA is different.  With the Heels still lacking a “quad one” win, their matchup with the Cavaliers is critical to improving their resume and proving that they can beat a clear-cut tournament-level team.  With a must-win game on their home floor, you would expect Carolina will put forth their best effort.

Virginia is ranked 6th by the AP Poll, but I personally don’t think they are as good as that poll suggests.  The Wahoos have struggled with Louisville and Notre Dame recently and were upset by Boston College in their last game.  The Tar Heels haven’t looked great themselves, but I don’t think UNC needs a miracle to knock off Virginia.

I think the keys to the game are pretty simple.  Against UVA you have to be able to knock down some outside shots, and Carolina has been really bad in that area the past few weeks.  However, one way to offset that is by getting second-chance opportunities.  If the Heels can control the boards and knock down a respectable amount of outside shots, they are capable of outscoring Virginia.

I think Carolina will feed off the home crowd and live to fight another day.

Prediction: North Carolina 70, Virginia 65

Aaron Conrad

UNC is back at the Smith Center and their backs are still against the wall.

It goes without saying that cannot afford this to be a loss. They really need these quad-one wins if they have any shot of making the tournament. Virginia will be ready. They always are.

I wish I could have more hope.

Prediction: Virginia 68, North Carolina 61

Spencer Schultz

UNC’s offense has faltered as of late, making this the worst possible matchup at the moment. A healthy Armando Bacot will help this time around, but it could be a long night for the Tar Heels.

If they want a shot at March Madness, this is a must-win game. Of course, they could get in by winning the ACC Tournament, but taking care of business in the regular season would be much easier.

Prediction: Virginia 66, North Carolina 62

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