Previewing UNC basketball’s showdown with No. 1 Kansas

Nov 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts with guard Cade Tyson (5) after dunking the ball in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The North Carolina Tar Heels return to the court on Friday for a big non-conference showdown with No. 1 Kansas.

UNC will travel to Lawrence to take on the top-ranked Jayhawks on Friday night, providing the first big early season test for the Tar Heels. It’s also a rematch of the 2022 national championship game, the last time the two teams met.

For North Carolina, they are fresh off a season-opening win over Elon in which they actually trailed by two with just over five minutes left in the game. But thanks to the heroics of RJ Davis, UNC avoided the big upset and got a win to start the season.

This test however will be tougher. Kansas is the top team in the country right now and one of the favorites to cut the nets down in April. So this will be a really good measuring stick for North Carolina early in the year.

Let’s get into our preview for this top-10 showdown.

Key to victory for North Carolina

Nov 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cade Tyson (5) shoots as Elon Phoenix forward Sam Sherry (4) and forward Brayden Crump (14) defend in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Shooting the basketball. North Carolina is going to need to be on their game in this one as it’s not only the top team in the country but one of the toughest places to play as well. If the Tar Heels come out cold, it could be a problem.

North Carolina not only has to shoot well from the three-point line, but it’s important they shoot well all game from the field. This could be a high-scoring affair on Friday so they are going to need to put up points often.

Something to watch

Nov 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Elon Phoenix guard TK Simpkins (3) shoots as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jalen Washington…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/previewing-unc-basketballs-showdown-no-131300245.html

Author : Tar Heels Wire

Publish date : 2024-11-08 13:13:00

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