North Carolina vs. Iowa: 2020-21 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
North Carolina visiting Iowa might just be one of the best matchups we see this season.
TV schedule: Tuesday, December 8th, 7:35 pm ET. ESPN
Arena: Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa
No. 16 North Carolina is scheduled to travel to Iowa to take on the No. 3 Hawkeyes on Tuesday night. Here is what we have to know for this exciting ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The Iowa Hawkeyes may be the biggest surprise this season being ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25 Poll. The last time the Hawkeyes were ranked three or higher was for a small stint in 2016 so, they are not used to being the favorites especially in the Big Ten.
Although the Hawkeyes have not yet played any ranked opponents yet this season, they look to continue to impress critics behind their star forward Luka Garza. Garza is averaging 34 points per game and just under 10 rebounds per game. Garza’s impressive stat line has made him a favorite to win the 2021 Wooden Player of the Year as long as, he remains healthy and continues to succeed.
The North Carolina Tar Heels are looking to get back to winning form after suffering a two-point loss against Texas last week. The Tar Heels rank tenth in defensive efficiency, this should make it interesting to see how well they match up against Garza.
Garrison Brooks has been the key player for the Tar Heels this season, scoring at least 10 points and nine rebounds in three straight appearances. Brooks did land awkwardly on his ankle which could mean he does not play against a talented Iowa program.
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If Brooks is 100% healthy on Tuesday night, expect the well-coached Tar Heels put up a good fight against Iowa. This is a game that could potentially result in an upset if everything goes right for North Carolina but, it’s gonna take work to lock down Garza and the Hawkeyes.