3 keys for UNC Basketball versus UConn in 2023 Jimmy V Classic

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: RJ Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels gestures during the game against the UC Riverside Highlanders at the Dean E. Smith Center on November 17, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 77-52. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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UNC Basketball guard Cormac Ryan Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Let it rip from deep

Carolina battled back to erase a 17-point deficit against Florida State, but they largely did it without the help of the three-point shot. The Heels were 5-22 from the three-point line, but that’s not going to cut it against the Huskies.

With 7’2″ Donovan Clingan patrolling the post, UConn sports one of the best interior defenses in the country. The Huskies are near the top of nation in both blocked shots and two-point field goal percentage allowed, which will make for tough sledding for Armando Bacot in the post.

Dan Hurley’s squad has one weakness on defense, and the Heels need to take advantage if they want to emerge victorious. Opponents are shooting 37.2% from three against UConn, which puts them in the bottom 20% in the nation.

UNC has shot the ball well from deep this season (the Florida State game notwithstanding), and that’s with Cormac Ryan still searching for his shot. He’s sure to improve on his 29.3% mark from outside, and now would be the perfect time to start. The New York native should feel right at home playing at Madison Square Garden, and if Hubert Davis can spring him and Harrison Ingram for some open perimeter looks, it could make the difference in what promises to be a close game.

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