UNC basketball continues non-conference play with matchup against La Salle

On By Littum

After a quick ACC matchup, the Tar Heels will continue their non-conference slate with the Explorers of La Salle University on Saturday from the Smith Center.

6-4. 2326. The CW Network. Saturday, December 14, 2024. La Salle. 5-4. 441. . 4:00 PM EST

The game will be the first between the schools since 1988. La Salle, which competes in the Atlantic 10, started the season hot with four straight wins but has dropped four of six games, including two straight entering Saturday.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Overall record: 5-4
Conference record: 1-0
Home record: 3-1
Away record: 1-1
Neutral Site Record: 1-2

La Salle Explorers

Overall record: 6-4
Conference record: 0-0
Home record: 4-0
Away record: 1-1
Neutral Site Record: 1-3

North Carolina

RJ Davis (Gr. Guard) – 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists
Seth Trimble (Jr. Guard) – 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Elliot Cadeau (So. Guard) – 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists

La Salle

Corey McKeithan (Sr. Guard) – 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists
Jahlil White (Sr. Guard) – 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Daeshon Shepherd (Sr. Guard) – 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Improve three-point shooting

Without an inside presence, the three-pointer has become vital to the Heels offense. North Carolina’s shooting from beyond the arc has been abysmal in the past two games, shooting 17 percent against Alabama (5-for-28) and 20 percent against Georgia Tech (5-for-24).

Rebound and Second Chance points

Surprisingly, the Heels are currently outscoring opponents by a margin of 1.7 rebounds per game. match. On the other hand, the Explorers outrebound opponents by a margin of 4.3 rebounds per game. This game may very well come down to rebounding and second chances.

Expect a high scoring game in this one. Carolina currently ranks 333 out of 355 teams in scoring defense, giving up 80 PPG. La Salle ranks 256 and gives up 74.1 PPG.

No. 3 Elliot Cadeau (So. 6’1)
No. 4 RJ Davis (Gr. 6’0)
No. 7 Seth Trimble (Jr. 6’3)
No. 9 Drake Powell (Fr. 6’6)
No. 13 Jalen Washington (Jr. 6’10)