The North Carolina Tar Heels were four minutes away from one of the biggest upsets in college basketball on Tuesday night, but they allowed Florida to pull back ahead and win, 90-84.
UNC’s (6-5, 1-0 ACC) struggles to close out games continued, highlighted on Tuesday by its inability to box out. With its loss, North Carolina fell to 1-5 against ranked teams.
The Tar Heels now turn their attention to another ranked team. On Saturday, December 21 at 3 p.m. under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, UNC will face 10-1 UCLA. The Bruins, currently ranked 18th in the latest AP Poll, are winners of their past nine games.
North Carolina’s opportunities for Quad 1 victories, which are paramount come Selection Sunday in March, are slipping away. You could call Saturday a must-win for the Tar Heels, as they won’t face a ranked team again until Saturday, February 1, 2025 at archrival Duke.
In his postgame press conference Tuesday night, UNC head coach Hubert Davis emphasized how his guys need to play a complete 40 minutes. North Carolina struggled mightily in the first half against Florida, falling behind by 17, but roared back to outscore the Gators – and nearly win – in the second half.
The Tar Heels show potential at times, but their struggles far outweigh their potential. UCLA brings a shutdown defense – and electric offense – into Saturday’s showdown.
Make sure you keep reading below, as we give you several areas to keep an eye on, ahead of what we all hope is a massive win for UNC.
Key to victory for UNC
The Tar Heels’ key to victory comes down to an area that won them so many games a season ago – and has in past successful years: rebounding.
North Carolina’s issue isn’t an inability to rebound, but its lack of height. UNC’s tallest starter is a physical, 6’8″ Ven-Allen Lubin, but when he goes up against 6’11” guys like Cliff Omoruyi and Alex Condon, it’s tough to make up that height difference.
Florida out-rebounded UNC, 46-36, on Tuesday night. UCLA’s height is more in line with the Tar Heels’, but the Bruins have a 7’3″ center in Aday Mara and a 6’10” forward in Devin Williams.
North Carolina has to find ways to control the boards – and get second-chance points on the offensive glass. If UNC can do both, it’ll exit New York City with its greatest win of the season.
Keep an eye on
We’ve already alluded to it plenty of times this season, earlier in our preview and you’ve witnessed it from watching games: Slow starts doom UNC.
On Tuesday against Florida, the Tar Heels trailed by 17 points in the first half. North Carolina entered the break down 12, but after taking the early lead on a Drake Powell jumper, its offense went cold.
UNC is a second-half team. I’m glad the Tar Heels know how to finish games, but they struggle to start games.
If North Carolina can put together a complete performance against UCLA, a victory isn’t out of the question. The Bruins are one of the country’s elite – and they have a great defense – so don’t expect anything easy.
Everything you need to know
What: North Carolina vs. UCLA
When: Saturday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
TV: CBS
Radio: Sirius XM (Channel 193 and 388)
Last Meeting: March 25, 2022 in NCAA Tournament – UNC 73, UCLA 66
All-Time Series: UNC leads, 11-3
Prediction: North Carolina 72, UCLA 69
Statistical Leaders
North Carolina Points: RJ Davis, G, 18.6 points per game
North Carolina Rebounds: Seth Trimble, G, 4.9 rebounds per game
North Carolina Assists: Elliot Cadeau, G, 5.7 assists per game
UCLA Points: Tyler Bilodeau, F, 14.1 points per game
UCLA Rebounds: Tyler Bilodeau, F, 5.5 rebounds per game
UCLA Assists: Kobe Johnson, G, 3.6 assists per game
Last five meetings
3/25/2022 – Philadelphia, Pa. – W, 73-66
12/21/2019 – Las Vegas, Nev. – W, 74-64
11/23/2018 – Las Vegas, Nev. – W, 94-78
12/19/2015 – Brooklyn, NY – W, 89-76
11/27/2014 – Paradise Island, Bahamas – W, 78-56
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Previewing UNC basketball vs. UCLA in CBS Sports Classic
