In a highly anticipated matchup, the Louisville men’s basketball team is gearing up for a week-long road trip to North Carolina. First on their schedule is a faceoff against the North Carolina Tar Heels at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday in Chapel Hill. The game will be televised on ACC Network.
Louisville’s recent performance has been a mixed bag, going 1-1 last week. They secured a victory against Miami on the road but suffered an 89-83 home loss to NC State on Saturday. On the other hand, North Carolina has been on a winning streak, triumphing in their last six games, including a dominant 103-67 victory over Syracuse on Saturday. With the top-ranked teams in the country faltering last week, UNC has soared to the 4th spot in the rankings.
Historically, Louisville has struggled against North Carolina, holding a record of 7-19 in their head-to-head matchups. Their away record against the Tar Heels is particularly daunting, with only one win in six attempts. Additionally, North Carolina has emerged victorious in their last four meetings.
The Cardinals, led by Head Coach Kenny Payne, will need to bring their A-game and improve on certain areas to have a shot at toppling the Tar Heels. Over their last three games, Louisville has shown promise from beyond the arc, shooting 48.7% from 3-point range. They have also been averaging 14.0 assists per game in their last six outings, a significant improvement compared to earlier in the season.
Redshirt sophomore Mike James has been a standout player for Louisville recently, averaging 23.0 points per game over their last three contests. Shooting at an impressive 61.1% from the field, 73.3% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free-throw line, James has been a reliable scoring option.
Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield has also been instrumental for the Cardinals, contributing 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game over their last seven games. He has been shooting efficiently from the field and the free-throw line, registering four double-doubles in his last seven outings.
Freshman guard/forward Curtis Williams has stepped up for Louisville off the bench, averaging 12.3 points over their last six games. Williams has shown significant improvement from beyond the arc, making 44.7% of his 3-point attempts. He has also been consistently scoring in double figures over the past few games.
The matchup between Louisville and North Carolina holds added significance as UNC forward Jae’Lyn Withers used to play for Louisville. Withers spent three seasons with the Cardinals, appearing in 81 games and making 64 starts. He was a team captain last season and received ACC All-Freshman Team honors in 2021. His familiarity with Louisville’s playing style may offer insights for the Tar Heels.
Looking back at their previous meeting, North Carolina dominated Louisville with an 80-59 victory at the KFC Yum! Center. The Tar Heels outrebounded the Cardinals and capitalized on turnovers, scoring 23 points off of Louisville’s mistakes. Armando Bacot and D’Marco Dunn led the charge for UNC, while Louisville’s El Ellis tallied 22 points for his team.
With both teams hungry for a win, this upcoming matchup promises to be a fierce battle on the hardwood. Louisville will need to be more effective on the boards and protect the ball to have a chance against the surging North Carolina squad. Tune in on ACC Network to witness this exciting clash between two formidable basketball programs.
