UNC goes for Sweep of NC State

North Carolina v Duke — Source: Jared C. Tilton / Getty

by Sharon Thorsland

North Carolina is back at home tonight taking on NC State for the second time this season. The Tar Heels are coming off a win over Syracuse that kept them on the NCAA tournament bubble and improved them to 15-11 on the year and 8-6 in ACC play. State continues to struggle this season, the Wolfpack snapped a nine-game losing streak with a win over Boston College Saturday. They’re just 3-11 in conference play and 10-15 overall. Tip-off is set for 7:00 on WBT.

The first time these teams met it was a barn-burner in Raleigh, with the Tar Heels hitting the game winner with 24 seconds to play. No doubt State would like a little revenge for that on UNC’s home court, particularly former Tar Heel Dontrez Styles, who makes his return to Chapel Hill averaging nearly 10 points and five rebounds per game. Jayden Taylor scored 19 points against BC, and freshman Trey Parker has stepped up since the first time these teams met. Over the last six games Parker is averaging nearly 11 points per game and is shooting 52% from three. Guard Marcus Hill still leads the Pack in scoring and had 20 points against UNC in the first game, but he’s struggled recently, managing 10 points or less in four of his past six games. He’s not the only one struggling to score, as the Wolfpack has scored 66 points or less in eight of their last 10 games.

The Tar Heels are looking for another big game out of Ian Jackson, who broke out of his recent slump scoring 23 points at Syracuse. The super freshman was outstanding in the first game against State, picking up 21 points and hitting five 3-pointers. Big man Jalen Washington also had a big game in Raleigh, and the Heels need another solid performance from him if they want to win tonight.

Even though UNC has not exactly been playing well over the past few weeks, State has been even worse. And the Wolfpack has not won a single game on the road this season and has lost six straight in Chapel Hill. That streak should continue tonight – Go Tar Heels