North Carolina vs. Louisville: Key storylines for 2019-20 ACC matchup

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 06: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots over Prentiss Hubb #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at the Dean Smith Center on November 06, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 76-65. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 08: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /

1. Cole Anthony is back, but not much has changed

Even early in the season when North Carolina was winning games and ranked in the top 25, it became clear that one of the Tar Heels’ big flaws this season would be their ability to create an offense that didn’t involve Cole Anthony. After back-to-back losses to Ohio State and Virginia who were ranked in the top-6 at the time, Anthony would miss the next 11 games with a knee injury.

In that time North Carolina went just 4-7 and they found themselves with a 10-10 record and in a 3-6 hole in conference play. Anthony returned to the floor on Feb. 1 when they faced Boston College, unfortunately, they were unable to regain the form that saw them win six of their first seven games.

Anthony has now played in six games since returning from the injury and has averaged over 20 points per game, but the Tar Heels have been unable to find their winning ways and enter the game with Louisville on a six-game losing streak.

Time is running out for Roy Williams and his crew to get things straightened out, with only four games remaining after they play Louisville. They have proved they can be a dangerous team, but this season has been a monumental struggle for them.

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