Two schools within North Carolina's borders are battling for the second time this season. The North Carolina Tar Heels (15-8, 7-14-2 ATS, 7-5 ACC) are on the road this time, looking to sweep the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (15-9, 14-10-0 ATS, 7-6 ACC). The Tar Heels have won three of the last four against the Demon Deacons but haven't beaten them on the road since 2019. They won the first meeting this season 88-79. This game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. EST in Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Although they're still expected to make the tournament, as a nine-seed according to the latest Bracketology projections, things haven't been great for the preseason #1 and last year's runner-ups. They've lost their last two and have underperformed compared to expectations. KenPom still has them ranked favorably, placing them 36th in the nation.
Their latest game was against none other than their mortal enemy Duke, and they ultimately lost 63-57 despite the game being within one possession for most of the second half. They shot poorly, 34.3% from the field and 25.9% from three, and got outrebounded 46-40 which is uncharacteristic of a UNC team. Double-double machine Armando Bacot added another to his resume, finishing with a team-high 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Unsurprisingly, that 57-point performance was their worst of the season, as North Carolina is one of the country's mo st dangerous teams offensively. They are averaging 77.6 points per game this season, 47th in the nation and third in the ACC. Their shooting leaves a lot to be desired though, as they shoot 30.8% on threes, 327th nationally and only ahead of Boston College in their conference. While playing at a higher tempo plays a part in their scoring, their adjusted offensive efficiency is also 32nd in the country.
On defense, they are allowing 71.3 points per game, 11th in the ACC. Opponents shoot 43.5% against them and 33.8% on threes, seventh and eighth in the ACC, respectively. KenPom has their adjusted defensive efficiency at 44th in college basketball.
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