Men’s Basketball Faces Radford in Tuesday Showdown

The Tar Heels are set to face the Radford Highlanders on Tuesday, November 11, at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the ACC Network, featuring commentary from Wes Durham and Dennis Scott.

Game Preview: Men’s Basketball Faces Radford

Both teams enter the matchup with a perfect 2-0 record. The Tar Heels achieved their victories over Central Arkansas (94-54) and Kansas (87-74), while Radford secured wins against Western Illinois and West Virginia Wesleyan.

Tar Heels’ Rankings and Player Updates

North Carolina has climbed seven spots in the Associated Press poll and is now ranked No. 18 nationally. However, they will be without senior captain Seth Trimble, who sustained a broken bone in his left forearm during a practice session on November 9.

Trimble was a key player for UNC, having accounted for 94.5% of returning points from last season, and averaged 14.5 points in the first two games. In his absence, freshman Caleb Wilson has made headlines, being named Co-ACC Player and Rookie of the Week following standout performances against Central Arkansas and Kansas.

Caleb Wilson’s Distinctive Start

Wilson’s impressive start has made him the first Tar Heel freshman to score over 20 points in his first two games. He averaged 23.0 points, shooting 17 of 21 from the field. In addition, he tallied a game-high 24 points in the recent victory over Kansas, contributing seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Team Performance and Historical Context

• UNC has maintained a shooting percentage of 50.8% in the first game and 51.5% in the second.
• It’s the first time since the 2021-22 season that UNC shot over 50% in the first two games.
• The Tar Heels have a remarkable 37-1 record when shooting at least 50% under head coach Hubert Davis.

This upcoming game against Radford marks the third in a series of five consecutive home games for the Tar Heels. This is a notable occurrence, as it is the first time UNC has opened the season with five straight home games since the 1918-19 season.

Historical Matchup with Radford

The Tar Heels hold a 3-0 all-time record against Radford. Their previous meetings include an NCAA Tournament matchup in Greensboro in 2009 and games in Chapel Hill in 2016 and 2023.

In their most recent encounter, UNC emerged victorious with an 86-70 win, led by Armando Bacot’s 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Probable Starters

The Tar Heels are poised for another competitive season as they continue their quest for success, making their match against Radford a crucial one in their early campaign.