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Previewing Saturday's UNC-Virginia ACC basketball matchup in Chapel Hill
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- Previewing Saturday's UNC-Virginia ACC basketball matchup in Chapel Hill
The North Carolina Tar Heels need any momentum they can get to close out their current basketball season, one in which they hope to make a late push for the NCAA Tournament.
UNC (16-11, 9-6 ACC) is winners of its past two games: 88-82 at Syracuse on Saturday, February 15, then more recently a 97-73 destruction of rival NC State on Wednesday . The Orange and Wolfpack aren't good this year, but winning games is important, regardless of who you beat.
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North Carolina's offense is clicking in recent games, getting guys like Jae'Lyn Withers to step up. The Tar Heels' defense isn't playing lights-out, but well enough to win games.
UNC's next test comes in the South's Oldest Rivalry on Saturday, Feb. 22 with the Virginia Cavaliers come to Chapel Hill for a 4 p.m. tip-off. Despite playing improved basketball as of late, UVA (13-13, 6-9) is struggling in Year One post-Tony Bennett.
I've watched plenty of past matchups, particularly in Charlottesville, in which the Tar Heels struggle against Virginia's slow pace . The Cavaliers are still utilizing a half-court offense, but don't have the talent this year to win games with that slower pace.
North Carolina owns the all-time series against UVA, but the latter is undoubtedly the rivalry winner of late. UNC snapped a long losing streak at John Paul Jones Arena in February 2024, the lone matchup last year between both rivals.
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Key to victory for UNC
North Carolina came out of the gates firing against NC State, scoring 54 first-half points en route to a 28-point advantage at halftime. The Tar Heels shot the ball extremely well, played great defense and proved they were clearly the better team.
UNC also played with a lot of energy – and fed off the increased student population in the Dean Dome crowd. North Carolina likely played with a little extra energy due to facing an in-state rival, but Wednesday's result can be a catalyst for any possible late-season runs.
If the Tar Heels play with immense energy early, plus are able to force UVA into an up-tempo pace, the game will be over by halftime once again.
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Something to Watch
Feb 19, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Drake Powell (9) at the free throw line in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
UNC rolled with a traditional, 1-5 lineup against NC State. North Carolina started RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau at both guard spots, Drake Powell at small forward, Jae'Lyn Withers at power forward and Ven-Allen Lubin at center.
This lineup worked for the Tar Heels big-time. UNC shot 57.4 percent from the field, 40% from deep, out-rebounded the Wolfpack 40-21, generated 17 assists to State's six, plus doubled the Wolfpack in paint points (52-26).
It's tough for teams to win games when starting four guards, plus it's easier for those guards to tire quicker. If North Carolina rolls with Wednesday's lineup against Virginia, could we see another blowout victory?
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What you need to know
TarHeelsWire How to Watch
What: North Carolina Tar Heels (16-11, 9-6 ACC) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (13-13, 6-9)
When: Saturday, February 22 at 4 p.m. ET
Where: Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC
TV:ESPN2
Radio:Tar Heels Sports Network
Line: N/A
Last Meeting: UNC 54, UVA 44 on February 23, 2024 in Charlottesville, Va.
All-Time Series: UNC leads, 107-43
Statistical Leaders
North Carolina Points: RJ Davis, G, 17.5 points per game
North Carolina Rebounds: Seth Trimble, G, 5.5 rebounds per game
North Carolina Assists: Elliot Cadeau, G, 6.0 assists per game
UVA Points: Isaac McKneely , G, 13.7 points per game
UVA Rebounds: Blake Buchanan , F, 5.6 rebounds per game
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UVA Assists: Andrew Rohde, G, 4.5 assists per game
2024-2025 UNC basketball schedule
Feb 19, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) passes the ball as North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Jayden Taylor (8) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Oct. 12: Blue-White Scrimmage (Blue 62, White 53)
Oct. 15: Exhibition @ Memphis (W, 84-76)
Oct. 27: Exhibition vs. Johnson C. Smith (W, 127-63)
Nov. 4: vs. Elon (W, 90-76) (1-0, 0-0)
Nov. 8: at Kansas (L, 92-89) (1-1, 0-0)
Nov. 15: vs. American University (W, 108-55) (2-1, 0-0)
Nov. 22: at Hawaii (W, 87-69) (3-1, 0-0)
Nov. 25: vs. Dayton, Maui Invitational (W, 92-90) (4-1, 0-0)
Nov. 26: vs. Auburn , Maui Invitational (L, 85-72) (4-2, 0-0)
Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State , Maui Invitational (L, 94-90 OT) (4-3, 0-0)
Dec. 4: vs. Alabama , SEC/ACC Challenge (L, 94-79) (4-4, 0-0)
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Dec. 7: vs. Georgia Tech (W, 68-65) (5-4, 1-0 ACC)
Dec. 14: vs. La Salle (W, 93-67) (6-4, 1-0)
Dec. 17: vs. Florida , Jumpman Invitational (L, 90-84) (6-5, 1-0)
Dec. 21: vs. UCLA , CBS Sports Classic (W, 76-74) (7-5, 1-0)
Dec. 29: vs. Campbell (W, 97-81) (8-5, 1-0)
Jan. 1: at Louisville (L, 83-70) (8-6, 1-1)
Jan. 4: at Notre Dame (W, 74-73) (9-6, 2-1)
Jan. 7: vs. SMU (W, 82-67) (10-6, 3-1)
Jan. 11: at NC State (W, 63-61) (11-6, 4-1)
Jan. 15: vs. California (W, 79-53) (12-6, 5-1)
Jan. 18: vs. Stanford (L, 72-71) (12-7, 5-2)
Jan. 21: at Wake Forest (L, 67-66) (12-8, 5-3)
Jan. 25: vs. Boston College (W, 102-96) (13-8, 6-3)
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Jan. 28: at Pitt (L, 73-65) (13-9, 6-4)
Feb. 1: at Duke (L, 87-70) (13-10, 6-5)
Feb. 8: vs. Pitt (W, 67-66) (14-10, 7-5)
Feb. 10: at Clemson (L, 85-65) (14-11, (7-6)
Feb. 15: at Syracuse (W 88-82) (15-11, (8-6)
Feb. 19: vs. NC State (W, 97-73) (16-11, 9-6)
Feb. 22: vs. Virginia
Feb. 24: at Florida State
March 1: vs. Miami (FL)
March 4: at Virginia Tech
March 8: vs. Duke
March 11-15: ACC Tournament (Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC-Virginia ACC basketball game preview for February 22 rivalry clash
