You think we forgot? Of course we didn't forget.
As tends to happen around this time of year when there is an overlap between the two big sports of football and basketball, things on here can get a little crowded. That plus the only thing happening on Monday being basketball, it made more sense to let yesterday breath with the continued autopsy of the loss to Miami for football and to fully celebrate the return of basketball.
Now with all of those events in the rear view mirror, let's take a peek at the other events coming this week as postseason play looms for some UNC teams, while there's a massive game ahead at the end of the weekend for one squad.
After two straight heartbreaking losses, the Tar Heels hit the last quarter of their schedule at 4-4 and looking to finally climb over that hurdle of where they finished last season. They'll look to do that this weekend against UConn absolutely a winnable game.
Saturday, 11/7 — at UConn, East Hartford, CT — Noon, CBS Sports Network
Coming off the Michael Malone debut last night, the Tar Heels continue to try and build and grow as a unit with a game this week at the Smith Center. We'll see if they have learned anything from the effort against WCU last night.
Friday, 11/6 — vs Wofford, Chapel Hill, NC — 7 PM, ACC Network
The Tar Heels opened their season in Paris against Oklahoma, and unfortunately a rough third quarter did them in. It's tough to know just exactly how much having to play a game overseas and it being Kate Harpring's first game as a college student factored into it, but the test doesn't get any easier on Sunday. Once again the Tar Heels will be featured on the ESPN Women's Sports Sunday, and that feature is a neutral court matchup in Charlotte against none other than South Carolina—only the number one team in the country. We'll see how they handle the recovery.
Sunday, 11/8 — vs South Carolina, Charlotte, NC — 5:30 PM, ESPN
Guess what, we did miss one thing that's happening before this posted—the ACC Field Hockey Tournament has begun. Despite arguably the most inconsistent season of the Erin Matson tenure, Carolina was able to get a little lucky in that some court rulings made some players eligible—and you thought it was just in football and basketball—and they were able to secure the top seed in the ACC Tournament that is being held in Chapel Hill. The schedule that Carolina would play is below, all the games are on ACC Network.
Tuesday, 11/3 — vs #8 seed Stanford, Chapel Hill, NC — 10 AM, ACC Network
Wednesday, 11/4 — (if Tuesday Win), vs 4/5 winner, Chapel Hill, NC — 1 PM, ACC Network
Friday, 11/6 — (if Wednesday Win), vs 2-7/3-6 winner, Chapel Hill, NC — 3 PM, ACC Network
The last ITA event for the men happens this week as the tennis team rounds out the first part the schedule and head into NCAA Individual Championships in a couple of weeks. Lachlan Gaskell did really well out in Winston-Salem, and it helps build confidence that the Tar Heels will show well in the last couple events of the fall season.
Thursday, 11/5 – Sunday, 11/8 — ITA Sectionals, Charlottesville, VA
Following a successful meet against the Duke Blue Devils a couple weeks ago, the UNC swimmers and divers head up to Virginia to face off against Virginia Tech. It's the last big meet for the squad before they head into a big invitational in Tennessee.
Thursday, 11/5 — at Virginia Tech, Christiansburg, VA — 2 PM
The Tar Heels still have a chance at the ACC regular season title and the overall number one seed in the conference tournament, but as R.L. Bynum has been noting thanks to the cancelled FSU match, the Tar Heels could finish in a tie with Florida State and lose that title. All they can control is what happens in front of them, and the important thing will be getting at least the two seed so they can avoid playing this weekend in the beginning of the ACC Tournament. Only six squads make the tournament and Carolina isn't in danger of missing it, but it would be nice not to have to play an extra match.
Thursday, 11/5 — at Louisville, Louisville, KY — 7 PM, ACC Network
Sunday, 11/8 — if necessary will be announced — ACC Tournament first round
The women's tennis team is also in their last few events before the fall concludes with the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships in a couple of weeks. That means more ITA events, and in a bit of an odd scheduling quirk, there are two ITA events happening basically at the same time. The Tar Heels will sends players to both as they look to set themselves up for later.
Thursday, 11/5 – Sunday, 11/8 — ITA Conference Masters Championships, Rome, GA
Friday, 11/6 – Monday 11/9 — ITA Sectionals, Philadelphia, PA
The volleyball team is just on a roll right now. They are 11-1 in the ACC, and have won four in a row including winning six straight sets this weekend against Syracuse and Boston College. Next up is a huge weekend for the ladies as they battle the team right below them and right above them in the league. It's a chance to get a strong hold of second place in the conference, important as their eyes start peeking toward the NCAA Tournament.
Friday, 11/6 — at SMU, Dallas, TX — 1 PM, ACCNX (streaming only)
Sunday, 11/8 — at Pittsburgh, Pittsburg, PA — 1 PM, ACCNX (streaming only)
Last weekend's event in Virginia went well for the wrestlers as they'll get a chance to show off in front of the home fans this weekend with a Blue and White Showcase. The team will face off against each other before they get into a regular schedule of matches against other squads. It's a great chance to see what Carolina will be putting on the mat this season.
Friday, 11/6 — Blue/White Showcase, Chapel Hill, NC — 5 PM
Finally, it's a battle of the blues for the fencers as they head up the road to Durham and face off against the Duke fencing squad. They go into this match having a couple of medalists at the North American Cup, which mean you should see a good competition early on Saturday.
Saturday, 11/7 — at Duke, Durham, NC — 8 AM
