The UNC men’s basketball program will host NC State at the Dean Smith Center on Saturday, looking to repeat the same outcome as the first time these two teams met.
The Tar Heels silenced the wolf pack howl in early January, beating NC State on their hardwood floor. UNC’s second half exposed NC State, using their fast-paced offense to beat down state defense, running them off the court and resulting in a 67-54 victory.
Since then, both teams have endured different paths, with UNC fully emerging in title contender conversations. Meanwhile, NC State’s name isn’t even considered in most bracket predictions, with a quick exit expected in the ACC tournament.
This game is a perfect opportunity for UNC to put a nail in their “rival” coffin, getting the last laugh with a regular season sweep. They will be home and have all the momentum on their side to get the victory and stay at the top of the ACC standings.
Despite NC State’s lackluster season, they will still be looking to spoil their parade. Here’s what UNC will need to do to prevent that from happening.