After a runner-up finish at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, the Alabama Crimson Tide are now set to officially return to action Wednesday night for a high-profile matchup against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Part of this year’s SEC/ACC Challenge, this showdown between the Crimson Tide and Tar Heels is not only a matchup between two of the conference’s top teams, but also a rematch from the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament a year ago in which Alabama won, 89-87.
Looking at this year’s version of the Tar Heels however, many of those same names from last season’s NCAA Tournament showdown are back, headlined by one of the top players in all of college basketball.
Let’s take a look at a few things you need to know about the 2024-25 North Carolina Tar Heels ahead of their SEC/ACC Challenge showdown in Chapel Hill against Alabama.
North Carolina Tar Heels Team Overview
- Team Name: North Carolina Tar Heels
- Conference: ACC
- Arena: Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- 2024-25 Record: 4-3 overall
- Current Ranking: No. 20 in AP Poll, No. 22 in Coaches Poll
The North Carolina Tar Heels come into the Alabama game struggling a bit by having dropped both of their last two games, which came on a neutral-court to Auburn and Michigan State at the Maui Invitational. North Carolina is still however ranked in both the AP and Coaches Poll’s, and sits at 4-3 on the year with a resume headlined by a win over Dayton.
North Carolina Tar Heels Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Hubert Davis
- Assistant Coach: Brad Frederick
- Assistant Coach: Jeff Lebo
- Assistant Coach: Sean May
- Assistant Coach: Pat Sullivan
- Assistant Coach: Marcus Paige
The head coach at North Carolina is Hubert Davis, who is currently in his fourth season at the helm of the Tar Heels program. Over those four years, Davis has won 20+ games in each season, as well as made two NCAA Tournament appearances.
North Carolina Tar Heels 2024-25 Stats
- PPG: 89.7 (No. 7 in NCAA)
- PPG Allowed: 80.1 (No. 339 in NCAA)
- FG%: 47.9
- 3P%: 37.7
- FT%: 79.4
- RPG: 36.9
- APG: 14.6
- SPG: 6.6
- BPG: 4.1
North Carolina is one of the nation’s best teams when it comes to scoring, as they rank No. 7 nationally at 89.7 PPG, but however struggle defensively in which they are among college basketball worst at allowing 80.1 PPG. The Tar Heels are also one of the nation’s best when it comes to made free throws per game, sitting No. 4 nationally at an average of 21.4 per game.
North Carolina Tar Heels Names to Know
- RJ Davis, Guard – Graduate Student
- Elliot Cadeau, Guard – Sophomore
- Seth Trimble, Guard – Junior
- Ian Jackson, Guard – Freshman
- Jae’Lyn Withers, Forward – Graduate Student
As mentioned previously, the Tar Heels are led by one of the top players in college basketball in experienced guard RJ Davis, who enters Wednesday night averaging 18.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 4.4 APG for the year. Alongside Davis, North Carolina also has two others averaging in double-figures in Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble at 14.4 and 16.1 PPG, respectively.