Riding a three-game winning streak, the UNC basketball program looks to continue their recent success when they host new ACC foe California on Wednesday night at the Dean Smith Center.
The Tar Heels are coming off a nail-biting victory over NC State on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh. Now, the focus turns to hosting two west coast schools in a row that have recently been added to the Atlantic Coast Conference.
California comes into this game struggling, having dropped four of their last five contests. They hope to turn things around against the Tar Heels, a squad that seems to be trending in the right direction.
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Record: 11-6
Conference Record: 4-1
Home Record: 6-1
Away Record: 3-2
Neutral Site Record: 2-3
California Golden Bears
Overall Record: 8-8
Conference Record: 1-4
Home Record: 7-3
Away Record: 1-4
Neutral Site Record: 0-1
Key Players
North Carolina
RJ Davis (Gr. Guard) - 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Ian Jackson (Fr. Guard) - 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists
Seth Trimble (Jr. Guard) - 12.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists
California
Andrej Stojakovic (So. Guard) - 20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Jeremiah Wilkinson (Fr. Guard) - 12.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Jovan Blacksher Jr. (Sr. Guard) - 10.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Slow down Andrej Stojakovic.
If you follow the NBA (and are an older fan of the Tar Heels like myself), you probably remember his father, Peja. Most notably a member of the Sacramento Kings, Peja Stojakovic was an absolute weapon from beyond-the-arc, as the dude could flat-out shoot the basketball.
It's safe to say the trait runs in the family.
Andrej Stojakovic is in the midst of a breakout season in his first year with the Golden Bears, as he's been one of the country's top scorers thus far. For North Carolina, the goal will be to slow him down and make others on the court beat them, as they definitely don't want Stojakovic getting hot at any point.
Something to Watch For
The rotation is shrinking, but Hubert Davis won't admit it.
Of course, the Tar Heels leader is going to keep a poker face, as he knows that he needs his players ready to go at any given point. However, the rotation is starting to shape up, and it's one that hasn't included the likes of Cade Tyson, Ty Claude and even James Brown.
While those three likely will be called upon at some point, you get the sense that North Carolina is starting to tighten its rotation as ACC play carries on. The question remains: will it stay this way, or will one (or more) of the reserves prove that they deserve more minutes?
Projected Starters
No. 3 Elliot Cadeau (So. 6'1)
No. 4 RJ Davis (Gr. 6'0)
No. 9 Drake Powell (Fr. 6'6)
No. 11 Ian Jackson (Fr. 6'4)
No. 13 Jalen Washington (Jr. 6'10)