Hubert Davis press conference after UNC basketball loss to Florida
Following UNC basketball’s loss to Florida, head coach Hubert Davis discussed the Tar Heels’ performance in the Jumpman Invitational.
UNC basketball is off to its worst start in five years as it enters 2025.
Following a flip of the calendar, the Tar Heels got off to a shaky start with a 13-point loss at Louisville on New Year’s Day.
UNC (8-6, 1-1 ACC) will play another road game this weekend against Notre Dame (7-6, 1-1) on Saturday (Noon, CBS) in South Bend. The Tar Heels have won 30 of their 39 games against the Fighting Irish, but UNC is 1-3 at the Joyce Center as an unranked team.
Here are some other things to know and a score prediction for UNC’s second straight road game to start the 2025 portion of the schedule.
Seth Trimble injury update vs Notre Dame
UNC guard Seth Trimble, one of the Tar Heels’ top defenders and rebounders, has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury. Following the Tar Heels’ loss at Louisville, head coach Hubert Davis said he had “no update” on Trimble’s status. There’s been no clarity on the specifics of the injury, but it’s clear the Tar Heels can’t afford to have Trimble on the bench for an extended period of time. He’s averaging 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and a team-best 1.3 steals per game.
Ian Jackson has become Tar Heels’ top scorer
Freshman guard Ian Jackson continues to show off his array of skills as a scorer for the Tar Heels. Jackson has been UNC’s most consistent bucket-getter of late, averaging 24.3 points on 54.8% shooting over the last three games. But following a three-point play against Louisville that trimmed UNC’s deficit to one point with five minutes left, Jackson didn’t get another shot attempt until the final 30 seconds. The Tar Heels have to keep finding ways to keep Jackson involved.
Notre Dame’s Tae Davis as a scorer vs UNC’s Drake Powell as a defender
Like Jackson for UNC, Notre Dame forward Tae Davis is experiencing a sizzling offensive stretch. Davis is averaging 23.6 points on 62% shooting and 7.7 rebounds over the last three games. He’s also attempted double-digit free throws in back-to-back games, making 21 of 24 free throws against Le Moyne and Georgia Tech. Given UNC’s problems in the post, 6-foot-6 wing Drake Powell seems like the best choice in trying to limit Davis. Powell has struggled with foul trouble in back-to-back games, but his athleticism and lateral quickness could bother Davis. When Powell fouled out against Louisville, the Cards finished the game on a 13-1 run. For a UNC team that struggles defensively, Powell’s presence is vital.
UNC vs Notre Dame score prediction
UNC 82, Notre Dame 78: The Tar Heels have struggled with consistency offensively and haven’t been able to get stops defensively, but Notre Dame has been worse in both areas. UNC’s problems have been exposed by top competition. The Fighting Irish aren’t in that group.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
