UNC basketball aims to snap another skid against another historic opponent

The Tar Heels look to defeat this notable opponent for the first time since 1999.
Navy v North Carolina
Navy v North Carolina | David Jensen/GettyImages

For the first time since November 18, the UNC basketball program will play at home, hosting the Georgetown Hoyas for the first time since 2003.

Coming off a road victory over Kentucky, the Tar Heels aim to end another drought to cap off the week. The UNC basketball program hasn't defeated Georgetown since 1999, as the hope is that North Carolina can snap the skid when the Hoyas come to the Dean Smith Center.

It's also important to note that this will be the first game of a home-and-home series between the two teams. North Carolina is scheduled to visit Georgetown during the 2026-2027 season to conclude the short series.

2025-2026 Season

No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels

Overall record: 7-1
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 5-0
Away Record: 1-0
Neutral Site Record: 1-1
Top-25 Wins: 2

Georgetown Hoyas

Overall record: 6-2
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 5-0
Away Record: 1-0
Neutral Site Record: 0-2

History

Georgetown leads the all-time series between the two programs with a 5-4 record, one that North Carolina hopes to even up on Sunday night in Chapel Hill.

The Hoyas have won each of the previous two matchups, which occurred in 2003 and 2007 respectively. In the 2007 meeting during the NCAA East Region Finals in the Meadowlands, Georgetown advanced with a 96-84 overtime victory over the Tar Heels, a game in which Jeff Green paced the way for the Hoyas with 22 points.

Of course, the memorable matchup between these two teams came on March 29, 1982. Tar Heel fans know exactly what happened that day, as Michael Jordan drained a jumpshot from the wing with 17 seconds left to secure Dean Smith's first of two national championships.

Key Players

North Carolina

Caleb Wilson (Fr. Forward)- 19.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Henri Veesaar (Jr. Center)- 16.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Luka Bogavac (Jr. Guard)- 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists

Georgetown

KJ Lewis (Jr. Guard)- 16.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists
Malik Mack (Jr. Guard)- 16.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists
Caleb Williams (So. Forward)- 12.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Keys to Victory for North Carolina

Take advantange in the post

The Hoyas will once again be without big man Vince Iwuchukwu, who has been sidelined after undergoing an undisclosed medical procedure a few weeks back.

Before the procedure, Iwuchukwu was emerging as a key presence in the post for Georgetown. Although they do have additional size to work with, the Tar Heels must get Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson working early in hopes of leading them into foul trouble.

Something to Watch For

Will Hubert Davis make a starting lineup change?

With the way Derek Dixon has been playing, the Tar Heels' head coach could at least be considering it.

While it might be a long shot for it to actually happen, it will be interesting to see how the backcourt minutes are divided. If Kyan Evans struggles once again, Dixon could see an extended look, especially following his clutch performance down the stretch in the UNC basketball program's victory over Kentucky earlier in the week.

Projected Starters

No. 0- Kyan Evans
No. 44- Luka Bogavac
No. 8- Caleb Wilson
No. 15- Jarin Stevenson
No. 13- Henri Veesaar

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