The Luck of the Irish?
Hopefully not on Wednesday night in Chapel Hill.
After back-to-back losses on the West Coast, the UNC basketball program returns home to host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Based on recent results, every game is starting to feel like a "must win" for Hubert Davis' team, a unit that has struggled mightily during conference action.
The Tar Heels could definitely use some luck on their side as they aim to turn this ship around.
2025-2026 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 14-4
Conference Record: 2-3
Home Record: 11-0
Away Record: 1-3
Neutral Site Record: 2-1
Top-25 Wins: 2
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Overall record: 10-8
Conference Record: 1-4
Home Record: 7-3
Away Record: 2-3
Neutral Site Record: 1-2
History
North Carolina has had some recent success against Notre Dame, winning each of the previous five meetings. They hold a 32-9 all-time advantage over the Fighting Irish.
In two meetings a season ago, UNC came out victorious. The first meeting was a nail-biting 74-73 contest in South Bend, but the second was much more comfortable for North Carolina as they cruised to a 20-point victory in the second round of the ACC Tournament in Charlotte.
Key Players
North Carolina
Caleb Wilson (Fr. Forward)- 19.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Henri Veesaar (Jr. Center)- 17.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Seth Trimble (Sr. Guard)- 15.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Notre Dame
Jalen Haralson (Fr. Forward)- 14.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Braeden Shrewsberry (Jr. Guard)- 11.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Cole Certa (So. Guard)- 9.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Force Notre Dame into mistakes
Since December 5th (the day Markus Burton got injured), Notre Dame ranks 337th in Turnover Percentage and 329th in Adjusted Tempo per Torvik.
For the Tar Heels, winning the turnover edge will be critical, as this will allow them to get out and run in transition. If they can capitalize on their turnovers, the UNC basketball program might just be able to pull away in this one.
Something to Watch For
Braeden Shrewsberry currently leads the ACC in three-point shooting percentage (42.7%). Based on the Tar Heels struggles defending the perimeter, you know he will be ready to shoot as much as he can on Wednesday night.
Shrewsberry has had multiple games in which he's connected on three or more triples this season, including a season-high eight (out of 10 attempts) on December 13. Can North Carolina limit his open looks, and, if not, how many does he light the Tar Heels up for in this one?
Based on recent trends, you probably should bet the over for three or more made three-pointers for the junior guard.
Projected Starters
No. 3- Derek Dixon
No. 7- Seth Trimble
No. 15 Jarin Stevenson
No. 8- Caleb Wilson
No. 13- Henri Veesaar