No. 22 MBB Hosts Notre Dame at Home This Wednesday
The University of North Carolina Tar Heels are set to host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Wednesday, January 21, at 7 p.m. This matchup is significant for Carolina, marking their only home game in a stretch of five consecutive games.
Game Details
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2, featuring announcers Kevin Brown and Cory Alexander. The Tar Heels come into this game with a record of 14 wins and 4 losses, including 2 wins and 3 losses within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Recently, they faced setbacks in California, losing to Stanford and Cal.
Recent Performance of Notre Dame
Notre Dame currently holds a record of 10 wins and 8 losses, with a troubling 1-4 start in the ACC. The Irish recently suffered their fourth straight defeat against Virginia Tech, marking their fifth loss in the last six games.
UNC’s Home Dominance
- North Carolina boasts an undefeated record of 11-0 at the Smith Center this season.
- The recent victory against Wake Forest was notable as it marked the 500th win in the Smith Center’s history.
- In the 41 years since the opening of the Smith Center, the Tar Heels have a remarkable home record of 500 wins to 90 losses.
Connection to History
This game coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Smith Center’s inaugural game, where the Tar Heels defeated Duke in a thrilling match.
Team Statistics and Highlights
Carolina has been impressive at home, winning by an average margin of 22.2 points, with the majority of victories exceeding a 10-point margin. The Tar Heels’ offense is firing on all cylinders, averaging 48.9% shooting from the floor, while they have efficiently held opposing teams to 34.6% shooting.
Key Players to Watch
Caleb Wilson has emerged as a vital contributor for Carolina, leading the team with an impressive scoring average of 19.7 points per game. He has also set records as a freshman, becoming the first to score over 20 points in six consecutive games.
Henri Veesaar, another essential player, has also made a significant impact, leading the team in field goal percentage and having registered nine double-doubles this season. Both players, Veesaar and Wilson, are on track to achieve record-setting performance metrics in scoring and rebounding.
All-time Series History
Historically, North Carolina has dominated the matchups against Notre Dame, recording a total of 32 wins against 9 losses. In ACC play, the Tar Heels have an impressive 16-5 record against the Irish, including a strong home record of 10-1.
Conclusion
The upcoming game against Notre Dame presents a crucial opportunity for North Carolina to build on their home success and solidify their position in the ACC standings. Fans eagerly anticipate supporting their team as they look to extend their winning streak.
