Don't get it twisted: every game is important. However, when you look at the current state of this year's UNC basketball squad, this next stretch of three games seems vitally important for their ultimate NCAA Tournament hopes.
That three-game stretch begins with a trip to Pittsburgh, a first of two meetings in 12 days between them. While the Panthers have lost four of their last five games, we all know that Jeff Capel-led teams always come ready to play against the Tar Heels, as the players seem to channel Capel's hatred for those in Carolina Blue.
Sandwich the first meeting with Duke in between: the Tar Heels have their work cut out for them.
After barely escaping on Saturday afternoon with a overtime victory over Boston College, can the Tar Heels take care of business on the road, picking up an important victory before heading to Durham?
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Record: 13-8
Conference Record: 6-3
Home Record: 8-2
Away Record 3-3
Neutral Site Record: 2-3
Pittsburgh Panthers
Overall Record: 13-6
Conference Record: 4-4
Home Record: 9-2
Away Record: 3-3
Neutral Site Record: 1-1
Key Players
North Carolina
RJ Davis (Gr. Guard) - 17.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists
Ian Jackson (Fr. Guard) - 15.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists
Seth Trimble - (Jr. Guard) - 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Pittsburgh
Jaland Lowe (So. Guard) - 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists
Ishmael Leggett (Sr. Guard) - 16.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists
Cameron Corhen (Jr. Forward) - 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Defense.
I could put just that word and you'd all get the point. However, it is vital that the Tar Heels figure it out on the defensive side of the ball.
From lack of communication to issues involving screens (and let's not forget, losing wide-open players in the corner), this group has to lock in on the defensive side of the ball. Against Boston College, it seemed like the Tar Heels couldn't get a big stop when they needed it during regulation.
This group needs to accept that they are going to have a smaller lineup on the court more often than not. It's a matter of taking pride in getting stops, one possession at a time.
Something to Watch For
Hubert Davis tinkered with the starting lineup on Saturday, inserting Seth Trimble and Ven-Allen Lubin in place of Drake Powell and Ven-Allen Lubin.
Will there be more tinkering, or will Davis stick with the same five? Given Seth Trimble's double-double performance (plus the fact that it seems like Trimble was destined to be a full-time starter for this team given is elite defensive skillset), the junior seems likely to stay with the starters. As for the "five," that still could be up for debate.
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)