ACC Basketball: Virginia vs. North Carolina preview, prediction, TV schedule
By Michael Foy
On Saturday night in the ACC basketball league, the North Carolina Tar Heels will take on the Virginia Cavaliers as College GameDay comes to town.
TV Schedule: Saturday, Feb. 18, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Arena: Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
Prediction: North Carolina 75 , Virginia 65
The No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels are vying for a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 14 Virginia Cavaliers come into town for a showdown of the ACC elites. If this game wasn’t already hyped up, College GameDay making an appearance should do the trick.
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North Carolina has been solid all season, sitting atop of the ACC standings since the season began. The Tar Heels are coming off of a beat down victory over NC State following a close loss at Duke. UNC is in the midst of their toughest stretch of games this season, as they end the year with six of their final eight games against ranked opponents. The Tar Heels look to continue their dominance over the ACC against a team that has given them issues in the past.
Virginia is in the hunt for an ACC title year in and year out. However, back to back losses versus Virginia Tech and Duke have left the Cavaliers with an 8-5 record in the ACC. Virginia will be in crisis mode, trying not to drop three straight games as the year starts to come to a close.
The game is a contrast of styles. UNC loves to get out and run, while Virginia likes to slow it down and suffocate you with their ‘Pack Line’ defense. It’s strength versus strength, and something has got to give.
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This North Carolina team is just too athletic, too big, and too good. Virginia will give them a tough run, as they always seem to do. However, North Carolina will show out at home in front of a raucous Dean Dome crowd.