UNC is just moments away from playing their first ACC true road game of the season against SMU. This is the first time that these two teams have faced off in conference play in the state of Texas, which is something that is still an adjustment for my ACC purest brain to compute. Regardless, this will be a decent test for the Tar Heels as they continue their quest to win the conference, but the question is how much of a test will it actually be?
On one hand, the Mustangs only have two losses so far
this season, which is more than what some other teams in the conference can say. ESPN also gives them a 54.8% edge in the matchup predictor, though it’s still unclear how much of that is an algorithm and how much of that is human-determined. They are also ranked 39th in the KenPom rankings, so there is some legitimacy to their record if you look at the metrics. However, SMU is 2-2 in Power Four games, and are 0-2 in Quad 1 games. The Tar Heels will undoubtedly be their toughest opponent so far, so they will have to pack a powerful punch to come out on top.
As far as the Tar Heels are concerned, the two keys to winning this game are maintaining the defensive intensity that they’ve played with all season long, and finding someone who can get going on the perimeter. Kyan Evans finally found his footing against Florida State, but now he has to prove that he can do it consistently, and that starts today against a stronger opponent. There of course is the elephant in the room that has been the free throw shooting. Things still weren’t great in that department against the Seminoles, but Caleb Wilson was able to go 4-5 from the line after struggling to knock his shots down in the previous few games. We’ll see how that situation pans out this afternoon.
As always, feel free to hang out with us in the comments section, and we’ll be back after the game with post-game analysis and takes. Until then, Go Heels!
