The Louisville men’s basketball team is gearing up for a challenging week-long road swing in The Tar Heel State, commencing with a matchup against North Carolina on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET in Chapel Hill, N.C. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ACC Network.
Recent Performances:
- Last week, the Cardinals had a mixed bag of results, securing a road victory against Miami before succumbing to an 89-83 home loss to NC State on Saturday.
- North Carolina, riding a six-game winning streak, showcased dominance with a convincing 103-67 triumph over Syracuse in their latest outing.
- The Tar Heels’ recent success propelled them to No. 4/3 in the rankings, capitalizing on losses by five of the top six teams in the country.
Head-to-Head History:
- Louisville has a historical record of 7-19 against North Carolina, holding a 1-5 record in road games. The Tar Heels have emerged victorious in the last four meetings between the two teams.
Key Statistics and Trends:
- In the past three games, the Cardinals have been efficient from beyond the arc, boasting a 48.7% success rate on 3-pointers (28-for-59).
- Over the last three games, redshirt sophomore Mike James has been a standout performer, averaging 23.0 points per game while exhibiting impressive shooting percentages: 61.1% from the field, 73.3% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free-throw line.
- Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield has been a force in recent games, averaging 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds over the last seven outings, with four double-doubles during this stretch.
- Freshman guard/forward Curtis Williams has stepped up off the bench, averaging 12.3 points in the last six games and showcasing improved 3-point shooting (44.7%).
Coaches’ Background:
- Notably, Louisville’s Kenny Payne and North Carolina’s Hubert Davis share the distinction of being among the 29 Division I head coaches who were NBA Draft picks.
Player Connections:
- UNC forward Jae’Lyn Withers, a former Louisville player from 2020-23, faces his former team. Withers, who played in 81 games with 64 starts for Louisville, was a team captain last season and earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors in 2021.
As Louisville embarks on this pivotal road swing, the team aims to build on recent positive performances and overcome the formidable challenge posed by North Carolina. The matchup promises to be an exciting clash between two competitive programs with a rich basketball history. Fans can catch the action on ACC Network and anticipate a closely contested battle in Chapel Hill.
