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UNC Basketball aims for a rivalry win against NC State to keep the season alive

Sweeping the season series would go a long way in helping UNC’s tournament hopes.

Wednesday’s game is more than just a rivalry matchup for UNC basketball.

The Tar Heels will take on the Wolfpack in the Dean Smith Center Wednesday night. After defeating them 63-61 in Raleigh back in January, UNC will once again meet the Wolfpack in a must-win contest. With just six games remaining in the regular season, time is running out.

A misstep could be fatal.

MATCHUP WOLFPACK 10-15 TAR HEELS 15-11 Wednesday, February 19, 2025 7:00 PM EST ESPN UNC -11.5

2024-2025 Season

North Carolina Tar Heels

Overall record: 15-11

Conference Record: 8-6

Home Record: 9-2

Away Record: 4-6

Neutral Site Record: 2-3

North Carolina State Wolfpack

Overall record: 10-15

Conference Record: 3-11

Home Record: 10-6

Away Record: 0-7

Neutral Site Record: 0-2

Key Players

North Carolina

RJ Davis (Gr. Guard) – 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists

Ian Jackson (Fr. Guard) – 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists

Seth Trimble (Jr. Guard) – 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals

North Carolina State

Marcus Hill (Sr. Guard) – 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Jayden Taylor (Sr. Guard) – 11.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists

Dontrez Styles (Sr. Guard) – 9.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.4 assists

Keys to Victory for North Carolina

Limit the Wolfpack backcourt.

NC State relies on its guards on the offensive end, similar to UNC. The Wolfpack’s top three scorers are all guards. In the first matchup between these two teams, the backcourt kept NC State in the game. Hill and Taylor combined for 32 points, over half the team’s total.

UNC should be able to limit NC State with its own backcourt and in turn, allow the frontcourt to control the paint. Expect another big game from Jalen Washington — and potentially another ‘pack down.’

Can UNC finally establish sustained success?

The Tar Heels have not won two games consecutively since January 15. During the entire season, every time UNC has taken a step forward, they end up taking two steps back. If it wants to make the NCAA Tournament, it needs to start stringing wins together and fast.

The Tar Heels have five winnable games in front of them before the season finale against the Blue Devils. A six-game win streak heading into that game could position them closer to the bubble.

Projected Starters

No. 3 Elliot Cadeau (So. 6’1)

No. 4 RJ Davis (Gr. 6’0)

No. 7 Seth Trimble (Jr. 6’3)

No. 22 Ven-Allen Lubin (Jr. 6’8)

No. 24 Jae’Lyn Withers (Gr. 6’9)