:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45739552/usa-today-8390141.0.jpg)
Heels vs Yellow Jackets
| North Carolina | Georgia Tech | |
| Record | 18-8 | 12-14 |
| ACC Record | 8-5 | 3-11 |
| KenPom Rank | 15th | 76th |
| Points per game | 79.1 | 64.4 |
| Adj. Off. Efficiency(Rank) | 116.2(11th) | 101.4(177th) |
| Ad. Def. Efficiency(Rank) | 96.2(68th) | 93.1(27th) |
| Tempo(Rank) | 70.2(14th) | 64.3(213th) |
| Offensive eFG% | 50.5% | 45.3% |
| Defensive eFG% | 45.2% | 48.0% |
| Field Goal % | 46.9% | 41.5% |
| 3P FG% | 32.5% | 27.7% |
| FT% | 68.9% | 66.7% |
| Offensive Reb Rate | 41.9% | 38.9% |
| Defensive Reb Rate | 68.9% | 74.4% |
| TO Rate | 18.0% | 19.5% |
| FT Rate | 37.9% | 31.6% |
Don't let Georgia Tech's record fool you. The Yellow Jackets are actually a pretty decent team all things considered. The Jackets are actually quite good on the defensive end with an efficiency in the top 30 and a DRB% ranked 14th. That DRB% will be strength on strength against UNC's 2nd ranked ORB%. It also comes a point where the Heels haven't broken 40% in ORB% in seven of the last eight games with the last four losses included in the under 40% group. Even then UNC's ORB% is still best in ACC play. Georgia Tech's DRB% is second in ACC play.
Whatever the Tar Heels do on the offensive glass will be tested thanks in part to Maryland transfer Charles Mitchell. The junior big man has a personal DRB% of 18.5 which is top 300 nationally and 18.1 in ACC play good enough for 13th. Mitchell has recorded 13 rebounds against the Tar Heels a year ago while playing for Maryland. The Yellow Jackets also have Robert Sampson who is 22nd nationally in DRB% and second in ACC games at 28.1. Georgia Tech is also very proficient on the offensive glass which is an area UNC has struggled a bit though in ACC play the Tar Heels are hovering around 72% on the defensive glass.
The nature of Georgia Tech's offense(see awful) lends UNC a chance at getting the defensive house in order. The Tar Heels have given up a 100+ offensive efficiency in seven straight games which is second most in the Roy Williams era tying the 2005 team. 2002 owns the dubious record with 11 straight opponents going over 100 in OE. The defense has struggled more since Theo Pinson went out though for most of the second half against Duke, UNC did a much better job on that end of the floor after three straight halves where the Tar Heels got blistered.