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
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
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
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)
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
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
