UNC vs NC State: Game Thread

UNC started ACC play on the road Saturday when they traveled to Pittsburgh and came away with a big win. They’ll need to take on another tough road game to make it 2-0 on the season in conference play when they meet the Wolfpack tonight at PNC.

Everything seemed to be clicking for the Heels on Saturday. Their defense was as good as we’ve seen all year and the offense was able to do a lot of impressive things as well. They’ll need to hope both those things carry through to tonight when they take on one-loss NC State.

Here is the obvious caveat: NC State’s strength of schedule currently ranks dang near the bottom of the NCAA. They did beat #7 (at the time) Auburn, so it’s not that they’ve played nobody, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind when putting their season to this point into context. Here is where some of those tough early matchups will hopefully benefit UNC.

Carolina will once again be without Sterling Manley, who is suffering from a knee injury. Nassir Little has really grown by leaps and bounds in the last couple of games, and he seems likely to gain the most minutes from Manley’s absence. Putting in good work during conference play will likely be paramount to where his draft stock ends up when it’s all said and done, and there’s no time like the present to get started.

As always, we’ll be back after the game with a complete roundup of the happenings. Until then...

Go Heels!