North Carolina can't afford to get trapped.
The Tar Heels will travel down to Blacksburg on Tuesday to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. Currently sitting as Joe Lunardi's third team out, the game is yet another must-win for a UNC team that has been living on the edge all season.
With Duke looming on Saturday, Tuesday's contest has the potential to be a trap game. But if UNC hopes to make a legitimate claim to the NCAA Tournament, it can't overlook the Hokies.
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 19-11
Conference Record: 12-6
Home Record: 12-2
Away Record: 5-6
Neutral Site Record: 2-3
Virginia Tech Hokies
Overall record: 13-16
Conference Record: 8-10
Home Record: 8-8
Away Record: 5-4
Neutral Site Record: 0-4
Key Players
North Carolina
RJ Davis (Gr. Guard) – 17.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists
Ian Jackson (Fr. Guard) – 13.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists
Seth Trimble (Jr. Guard) – 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Virginia Tech
Tobi Lawal (Jr. Forward) - 12.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists
Mylyjael Poteat (Gr. Forward) - 9.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Jaden Schutt (Redshirt So. Guard) - 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Shoot and defend well from behind the arc.
Virginia Tech, despite being in the bottom half of the conference in 3-point field goal attempts, ranks in the top 5 in 3-point field goal percentage. The Hokies also defend the 3 well, ranking in the top 5 in opponent 3-point field goal percentage.
North Carolina has been up and down from behind the arc all season. If UNC's guards and Jae'Lyn Withers can stay hot from 3, the Tar Heels should be able to keep up with the Hokies offensively. And in turn, roll to a sixth-straight win.
Something to Watch for
Can UNC find rare success in Cassell Coliseum?
Since 2016, the Tar Heels have won just one game at Virginia Tech. They have lost three out of their last four games in Blacksburg. One of the toughest places to play in the ACC has given UNC a lot of trouble over the last decade.
North Carolina will need to take the crowd out of the game early if it hopes to come out of Blacksburg unscathed on Tuesday.
Projected Starters
No. 3 Elliot Cadeau (So. 6’1)
No. 4 RJ Davis (Gr. 6’0)
No. 9 Drake Powell (Fr. 6'6)
No. 22 Ven-Allen Lubin (Jr. 6’8)
No. 24 Jae'Lyn Withers (Gr. 6'9)