Every game only counts for one win or one loss, but tonight's matchup vs Ga. Tech feels far more important than that. It is important for multiple reasons; the Tar Heels need to get their first ACC win, the Tar Heels need to stack wins early in the ACC schedule-specifically against teams they should beat, and the Tar Heels need to get their confidence and edge back, the confidence and edge they had during the second half of the Kentucky game.
Ga. Tech enters tonight's game with an overall record of 4-3,0-1 in the ACC. They started the season with two puzzling losses to Ga. State and Mercer, then bounced back with wins vs Kentucky and Nebraska. The Yellow Jackets lone ACC loss is to Florida St.
Ga. Tech players to note:
*Senior guard-Jose Alvarado-averaging 16.9 points per game and shooting 47.6% from the field. Alvarado is the leader of this Yellow Jacket team.
*Senior forward-Moses Wright-averaging 19.6 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and shooting 57.5% from the field.
*The Yellow Jackets feature one of the most experienced starting lineups in all of college basketball and have five players averaging in double figures scoring.
Keys to the game for the Tar Heels:
*Get off to a good start
*Defense, specifically three point defense. The Yellow Jackets are shooting 33% from deep.
*Can the Tar Heels get out in transition? The Heels will look to push the pace while the Yellow Jackets will look to establish their half court offense.
*Feed the post and win the rebounding battle.
It is important to note that Josh Pastner led Yellow Jacket teams have a knack for giving the Tar Heels fits. We all know no ACC game is a gimme, especially when it is on the road. It is going to take a full 40 minutes of playing at a high level to get the needed win.
KenPom:
UNC-21st overall
Ga. Tech-79th overall
TV info-The matchup will be televised on the ACCNX or RSN at 8:00 PM eastern time.
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