With something significant from which to build, North Carolina will see if it can sustain the momentum following a holiday break.
The Tar Heels are back in action for their final nonconference game Sunday night when in-state opponent Campbell visits Chapel Hill, N.C.
This will be the first meeting between the programs despite the campuses less than a one-hour drive apart.
North Carolina (7-5) rallied to defeat then-No. 18 UCLA on Dec. 21 in New York, its first win over a ranked foe this season.
It was a much-needed outcome after numerous late-game disappointments for the Tar Heels.
“It’s because we’ve been in those situations against really good competition that allowed us to have the confidence to come back, and then also the experiences of what we needed to do to finish it out and win,” coach Hubert Davis said.
North Carolina could turn to more four-guard lineups, Davis said. That’s a deviation from what has worked for the Tar Heels through the years when they’ve been stabilized by a strong post presence.
“We may not have tremendous size, but we do have athleticism,” Davis said.
The Tar Heels, who have won three of their past four games, insist they’re up to the challenges despite the rocky stretches. They resume Atlantic Coast Conference play next month with three road trips in four games, so working out any kinks in the Campbell game will likely be critical.
“We’ve been battle-tested all year,” senior guard RJ Davis said. “These first 12 games, it feels like we’ve been in March Madness games. But that’s what it’s going to be like at the end of the year, where we’re playing against tough teams all the way to the wire and being able to execute, being able to get an extra rebound, an extra stop.”
Freshman Ian Jackson has drained multiple 3-point shots in four games this season. He hit three 3s and scored a season-high 24 points vs. UCLA.
Campbell (5-7), riding a two-game skid with losses at Morgan State and at home to Longwood, has defeated only three Division I teams. Sunday night marks the Camels’ final outing before opening their Coastal Athletic Association schedule.
“We believe that will help strengthen us to compete at a high level in CAA play,” coach Kevin McGeehan of nonconference tests.
North Carolina will be Campbell’s third power-conference opponent (following Virginia and Ohio State).
Jasin Sinani (12.4 points per game) is the only Campbell player scoring in double figures. He joins Nolan Dorsey and Cam Gregory as the only team members with more than nine starts this season as McGeehan has juggled the lineup.
–Field Level Media
