Previewing UNC basketball’s season opener against Elon

Date:

Mar 28, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) controls the ball in the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Fans are ready for the season to get underway in men’s college basketball. UNC fans should be encouraged with the way the UNC basketball team handled its two exhibition games, especially against Memphis. This team is being slightly underrated with the hype surrounding Cooper Flagg in the ACC.

However, North Carolina won’t have to wait long for an opportunity to present itself. They take on the No. 1 ranked team in the nation on Friday. The season opener for the Tar Heels, Elon, stands in their way.

Here is everything you need to know of UNC basketball home opener tomorrow in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina Key to Victory

Oct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cade Tyson (5) with the ball in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesOct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cade Tyson (5) with the ball in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Oct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cade Tyson (5) with the ball in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The key to victory for North Carolina in this opener is their transfers. It is impossible to replace the dominance of Armando Bacot. However, they did bring in two top big men in Ven-Allen Lubin and Cade Tyson. The key for UNC will be getting these transfers involved early.

Cade Tyson is a stretch four that will open up RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau by keep the defense honest in the corner and out on the wings. He has the ability to get hot quick.

Last year for Vanderbilt, Lubin averaged 6.3 rebounds per game. He was brought in to be the team’s rebounder. Can he complete that task alongside Jalen Washington and Jae’Lynn Withers?

Keep an Eye on

Oct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Ian Jackson (11) reacts in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesOct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Ian Jackson (11) reacts in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Oct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Ian Jackson (11) reacts in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Freshmen Impact. North Carolina is welcoming Ian Jackson and Drake Powell to the roster and rotation this season. The two of them have been mentioned on multiple preseason awards and watch lists. They were both ranked in college basketball’s top 50 newcomers as well as top 50 freshmen.

Their usage will be an interesting factor this season. Who, if any, will start? What will the minutes look like? How do them mesh with the team, the flow, and their role?

Keep an eye on the new guys.

Everything You Need to Know

Oct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) shoots a free throw in the first half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesOct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) shoots a free throw in the first half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Oct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) shoots a free throw in the first half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

What: North Carolina Tar Heels (0-0, 0-0) vs Elon Phoenix (0-0, 0-0)

When: Monday, November 4, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. ET

Where: Dean E. Smith Center (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

TV: ACC Network

Line: None

Last Meeting: 80-63, North Carolina in Chapel Hill (2021)

All-Time Series: UNC 4 – 0 Elon

Prediction: North Carolina 86 – 54

Statistical Leaders (Last Season)

Oct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) with the ball as guard Cade Tyson (5) defends in the first half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesOct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) with the ball as guard Cade Tyson (5) defends in the first half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Oct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) with the ball as guard Cade Tyson (5) defends in the first half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

North Carolina Points: RJ Davis (G) – 21.1 points per game

North Carolina Rebounds: Ven-Allen Lubin (F) – 6.3 rebounds per game

North Carolina Assists: Elliot Cadeau (G) – 4.1 assists per game

Elon Points: T.K. Simpkins (G) – 13.8 points per game

Elon Rebounds: Sam Sherry (F) – 4.7 rebounds per game

Elon Assists: T.K. Simpkins (G) – 3.1 assists per game

Last Four Meetings

Oct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) at the free throw line in the first half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesOct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) at the free throw line in the first half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Oct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) at the free throw line in the first half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

December 11, 2021: North Carolina (80) – Elon (63)

November 20, 2019: North Carolina (75) – Elong (61)

November 9, 2018: North Carolina (116) – Elon (67)

December 29, 2011: North Carolina (100) – Elon (62)

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Previewing UNC basketball’s season opener against Elon

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