Tip-off on Saturday night is later than usual (8:30 PM EST), but the objective remains the same for Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program.
The Tar Heels host the Virginia Tech Hokies in what will be their second to last home game of the 2025-2026 season. North Carolina aims to add another win to its resume while the Hokies hope to play "spoilers," securing a win that would help them trend in the right direction when it comes to the current NCAA Tournament projections.
For a team considered to be on the bubble, a road victory in Chapel Hill against the No. 18-ranked Tar Heels would help strengthen their case to be among the field of teams come Selection Sunday.
2025-2026 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 22-6
Conference Record: 10-5
Home Record: 16-0
Away Record: 4-5
Neutral Site Record: 2-1
Top-25 Wins: 5
Virginia Tech Hokies
Overall record: 18-10
Conference Record: 7-8
Home Record: 13-3
Away Record: 3-5
Neutral Site Record: 2-2
Key Players
North Carolina
Caleb Wilson (Fr. Forward)- 20.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists
Henri Veesaar (Jr. Center)- 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Seth Trimble (Sr. Guard)- 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Luka Bogavac (Jr. Guard)- 9.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Wilson is out indefinitely due to injury.
Virginia Tech
Amani Hansberry (Jr. Guard) 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Ben Hammond (So. Guard)- 12.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists
Neoklis Avdalas (Fr. Guard)- 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Don't let the balanced scoring attack beat you
The Hokies are not your typical team when it comes to offensive production. While most teams have that "go to" guy (or guys), Virginia Tech deploys an all-out attack.
Leading up to Saturday night, five Hokies average double-figure scoring outputs, as none of those average more than 15 per game.
While it might be a relief to not have to focus so much attention on one particular guy, the Tar Heels need to be locked in defensively throughout. Any one of their rotation guys can score the basketball, as the Tar Heels must find a way to ensure that the team struggles offensively as a whole.
The good news for UNC is that they have capable defenders essentially throughout the entire rotation, as they all will surely be tested on Saturday night.
Something to Watch For
Seth Trimble has been on an absolute tear over his last three halves of basketball.
His 30-point masterpiece against Louisville was just what the Tar Heels needed, as his effort on both sides of the basketball helped UNC secure a victory over No. 24-ranked Louisville.
What does Trimble have in store for an encore presentation, a game that will serve as his second to last home game as a Tar Heel?
Projected Starters
No. 3- Derek Dixon
No. 7- Seth Trimble
No. 13 Henri Veesaar
No. 15- Jarin Stevenson
No. 44 Luka Bogavac