After a week without basketball, UNC basketball fans are about to get slapped in the face with another tough game in just over 48 hours!
The UNC basketball program will take a short hop to Clemson for a tough ACC match-up tomorrow night, their only game against the Tigers this season (unless they draw each other in the ACC Tournament). Can the Tar Heels earn a win against a quality conference foe?
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Record: 14-10
Conference Record: 7-5
Home Record: 9-2
Away Record 3-5
Neutral Site Record: 2-3
Clemson Tigers
Overall Record: 19-5
Conference Record: 11-2
Home Record: 14-2
Away Record: 5-3
Neutral Site Record: 2-0
Key Players
North Carolina
RJ Davis (Gr. Guard) - 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists
Ian Jackson (Fr. Guard) - 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists
Seth Trimble - (Jr. Guard) - 12.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Clemson
Chase Hunter (Sr. Guard) - 17.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists
ian Schieffelin (Sr. Forward) - 12.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Viktor Lakhin (Sr. Forward) - 10.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Defend the perimeter.
Once again, the UNC basketball program will have a size deficit, but Hubert Davis may have to just swallow some medicine on the block, because doubling down low will come at a price. Clemson as a team shoots 38.4% from three, second best in the ACC, and averages nine made three-pointers per game.
The Tar Heels can't have that if they want any chance to win. Limit the Tigers from the perimeter, and see if Ian Jackson can shake the cobwebs and knock down a few of his own.
Something to Watch For
Ven-Allen Lubin had his best performance in a Tar Heel uniform against Pitt, but he'll be in a different kind of battle down low with Ian Schieffelin and Viktor Lakhin, who were able to go toe-to-toe with Duke's size. Lubin needs to do his best Hodor impression to give UNC a chance to pull off the upset.
Projected Starters
No. 3 Elliot Cadeau (So. 6'1)
No. 4 RJ Davis (Gr. 6'0)
No. 11 Ian Jackson (Fr. 6'4)
No. 7 Seth Trimble (Jr. 6'3)
No. 22 Ven-Allen Lubin (Jr. 6'8)