UNC basketball’s RJ Davis, Hubert Davis preview Tar Heels vs Kansas
Ahead of UNC basketball’s trip to face No. 1 Kansas, guard RJ Davis and head coach Hubert Davis previewed the Tar Heels’ matchup with the Jayhawks.
North Carolina basketball and Kansas meet again Friday (7 p.m., ESPN2) in a top-10 matchup between the bluest of bluebloods.
The ninth-ranked Tar Heels (1-0) will play the top-ranked Jayhawks (1-0) at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence for the first time since 1960.
UNC and Kansas have combined for more than 4,700 wins, 37 Final Four appearances and 10 NCAA championships. The programs have split 12 meetings, with the Jayhawks earning the latest victory by beating the Tar Heels in the 2022 national championship game.
Here are some things to know and a score prediction for the Tar Heels’ trip to Kansas.
UNC basketball’s Jalen Washington, Jae’Lyn Withers vs Kansas basketball’s Hunter Dickinson
Armando Bacot, UNC’s all-time rebounds leader, is gone and the Tar Heels face a tall task in slowing down Kansas center Hunter Dickinson. An All-American as a 7-foot-2 center and the favorite to win Big 12 Player of the Year, Dickinson dealt with a foot sprain in the preseason but returned to the lineup in the Jayhawks’ 87-57 season-opening win against Howard. He had 16 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes.
Jalen Washington, UNC’s 6-foot-10 junior center, will likely be matched up with Dickinson. Washington, who had eight points and four rebounds in 21 minutes against Elon, will arguably have the greatest influence on Dickinson as an active cutter and screener. Washington needs to keep Dickinson on the move as a defender.
Then there’s 6-foot-9 forward Jae’Lyn Withers, the Tar Heels’ top athlete on the interior. Withers had a double-double performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the season opener. His range and athleticism as a defender will be vital for UNC as it tries to limit Dickinson.
Tar Heels need stellar showing from RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble
UNC has one of the best backcourts in the nation with All-American guard RJ Davis, sophomore facilitator Elliot Cadeau and junior two-way standout Seth Trimble. Each of those players will need to have a big night in order for the Tar Heels to pull off the upset.
Davis, Cadeau and Trimble combined for 56 points, 18 assists, 13 rebounds, seven steals and three blocks against Elon. Davis had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the 2022 title game against the Jayhawks. Kansas guards Dajuan Harris, David Coit and Zeke Mayo combined for 33 points and nine assists in the season opener. Carolina’s backcourt has to pave the Tar Heels’ path to a victory in Lawrence.
AJ Storr and Cade Tyson as possible X-factors for Kansas, UNC
Wisconsin transfer AJ Storr and Belmont transfer Cade Tyson were the main additions from the portal for UNC and Kansas. It’s clear both players are adjusting to their new surroundings as they figure out their roles within their new teams. Tyson, a junior wing, had as many points (2) as fouls (2) in 16 minutes off the bench against Elon. Storr, a junior guard, had five points and three fouls in 15 minutes as a reserve in the opener. Both players have the potential to be X-factors on Friday and moving forward.
UNC vs Kansas score prediction
Kansas 84, UNC 76: The Jayhawks aren’t in the habit of losing games at Allen Fieldhouse, where the home team is 91-5 across the last six seasons. With Hunter Dickinson and Alabama transfer Rylan Griffen doing a bulk of the damage, Kansas will deal the Heels their first loss of the season.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
