ACC Basketball: 5 key storylines for 2020 ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Mar 2, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski (right) directs guard Cassius Stanley (2) and forward Matthew Hurt (21) during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke won 88-69. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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ACC Basketball North Carolina Tar Heels Armando Bacot Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /

Do the Tar Heels have enough to slow down Luka Garza?

It’s no secret that Iowa Hawkeyes big man Luka Garza has been on a tear to start the 2020-21 season. Garza is leading the NCAA in scoring with 34.9 points per game along with 9.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per contest. The North Carolina Tar Heels should have an interesting time slowing him down on Tuesday night.

The Tar Heels are still finding themselves on offense, particularly with freshmen Caleb Love and R.J. Davis in the backcourt. Davis leads the team in scoring at 12.3 points per game, but he’s averaging 1.5 assists to 2.0 turnovers per game. Love is leading the team with 2.5 assists per game but he’s also leading in turnovers as well with 3.3 per contest.

Some simple dump-offs to test Garza’s rim-protecting ability early in the post with Armando Bacot and Garrison Brooks should be heavy on the agenda.

After all, 3-point shooting hasn’t been a strong suit of the Tar Heels offense this season, either. They’re shooting 27.1 percent from 3-point range as a team.