#8 UNC Preview

Who: Virginia Tech Hokies (11-6, 0-3) vs #8 North Carolina Tar Heels (15-3, 2-1)

When: Thursday, January 19 @ 9:00 p.m.

TV: ESPN (John Saunders and Jay Bilas)

Where: Cassell Coliseum (9,847), Blacksburg, VA

The Opponent: Well, things couldn’t have started any worse for the Hokies in conference play. Losing the first three games, including two to what many people considered the two worst teams in the conference and now Tech faces a UNC team that got shellacked by 33 at Florida State last weekend. Doesn’t sound that encouraging does it?

Coach Greenberg has already unleashed his mantra of “it’s never as bad as it seems, and it’s never as good as it seems.” Well with two top-15 opponents in the next four days, things may get a little worse than they currently are. But, as far as we know this 0-3 start could be a hidden gem and this young team could play with a passion we haven’t seen yet and knocks off both the Heels and Hoos. Two weeks ago, some of you may have believed that, but 0-3 starts drastically change expectations.

Tech has had its fair share of quality games with UNC, rarely playing in awe against Carolina. The Hokies are 3-8 against the Heels since joining the ACC, but are 2-1 at home, including an upset of then-No. 1 UNC back in 2007. Eight of the 11 matchups have been decided by eight points or less, including all three games at Cassell.

However, this is a very talented Carolina team that you have to believe is going to be extremely focused after the beatdown they received on Saturday. This is the preseason No. 1 team in the nation, and they have talent that is as good, if not better, than anyone in the country, including current No. 1 Syracuse. Here’s a look at their starting five:

These five have started every game for Roy Williams this year, and why would you need to start anyone else? Kendall Marshall is one of the premier point guards in the nation, Harrison Barnes is arguably the best player in the ACC this year, John Henson leads the ACC in rebounds and blocks, and Tyler Zeller is top 10 in the conference in rebounds and blocks.

You know what those five are going to bring, especially coming off the worst loss in the Williams era at UNC. Henson, Barnes, and Zeller provide a legitimate advantage for the Heels inside. Rebounding has been an EXTREME problem for the Hokies in ACC play, as they have been outrebounded by more than 4 boards per game in conference play. Add one of the greatest passers in the league in Marshall and you’ve got your hands full.

Carolina primarily plays an eight-man rotation, with their bench players playing anywhere between 13 and 18 minutes per game each. Reggie Bullock (6-7, SO) is averaging 8.5 points per game, but has struggled during conference play, averaging about half that amount in the first three ACC games. McDonald’s All-Americans P.J. Hairston (6-5, FR) and James Michael McAdoo (6-9, FR) round out the lineup, contributing about five points per game in ACC contests.

We all know UNC is extremely good and if they show up focused and prepared, they’ll be able to walk out of Cassell with a W. That’s assuming the same Hokie team from the last three games comes out. But, I have a feeling (read: HOPING) that this team comes out with a fresh mindset and is ready to battle and compete with one of the nation’s best. I don’t think Tech turns the season around, especially with a gimpy Erick Green, but I pray we see the Hokies get out in transition and show some sort of emotion and effort we haven’t seen in conference play.

Sadly, I think Carolina is just too good that they come out victorious unless Tech drastically turns things around and the Heels don’t show up for the second straight game. Hopefully this game doesn’t get ugly.

Prediction: North Carolina 75, Virginia Tech 65