UNC Basketball vs. Alabama: Score Prediction, Scouting Report

UNC Basketball will look to avoid a three-game losing streak as it hosts Alabama in the ACC/SEC Challenge at the Smith Center on Wednesday (7:15 p.m., ESPN).

The 20th-seeded Tar Heels (4-3) will play the 10th-seeded Crimson Tide (6-2) in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament for the first time since Bama beat UNC.

The Heels are 8-6 in the all-time series against Alabama, but the Tide have won back-to-back games against UNC by a total of four points. The teams met only once at the Smith Center, with Hubert Davis and UNC earning a 95-79 victory in 1990.

What’s wrong with UNC basketball?

Now in his fourth year as the Heels’ head coach, Davis has led UNC to a 43-6 record at the Smith Center, where UNC has won 19 straight non-conference games.

Here are some other things you should know and a score prediction for UNC vs. Alabama.

RJ Davis 3-point shooting, rematch with Alabama’s Mark Sears

RJ Davis had a record-setting season for the Tar Heels as a senior, earning ACC Player of the Year honors before becoming an All-American. But Davis’ season ended with him going 4-for-20 shooting in the Sweet 16 loss to Alabama, including going 0-for-9 from 3-point range. Those struggles from beyond the arc continued into his fifth season, with Davis starting 14-for-51 (27.5%) in seven games.

New starting lineup for UNC basketball?

UNC’s top guard will join fellow All-American guard Mark Sears, who has also struggled to score from distance as a 28 percent three-point shooter in eight games. Sears averaged 21 points in two games against UNC.

Turnovers for the Tar Heels, Crimson Tide

According to KenPom.com, UNC ranks fourth in turnover percentage (12.7%), but the Tar Heels had trouble controlling the ball in the Maui Invitational. More possession creates the opportunity for more mistakes, but UNC has had double-digit turnovers in three straight games.

Alabama, which ranks 136th in turnover rate (16.9%), has struggled to take care of the ball all season. The Tide have recorded double-digit turnovers in six of their eight games, including a season-high 20 turnovers against Rutgers in Las Vegas.

Alabama’s Grant Nelson, Cliff Omoruyi, Jarin Stevenson vs. UNC’s Jalen Washington, Jae’Lyn Withers, Ven-Allen Lubin

Given both programs’ offseason frontcourt focus and Alabama’s ability to get Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi to join the Tide, the battle for the post at the Smith Center will be in the spotlight. Omoruyi, along with Grant Nelson and Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson, are Alabama’s top frontcourt threats. Nelson had 25 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks against UNC in the NCAA tournament.

The Tar Heels are waiting for someone to step up as a consistent interior defender against quality opponents. Jalen Washington averaged 3.0 points and 6 rebounds against Kansas, Auburn and Michigan State. Jae’Lyn Withers (9.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and Ven-Allen Lubin (9.6 ppg, 5.0 rbg) were a little more consistent in those games, but each of UNC’s top three players in the post has their own Continue to improve his defense and rebounding to help the Heels.

UNC vs. Alabama score prediction

UNC 87, Alabama 85: The Tar Heels always seem to play big in these big non-conference matchups at the Smith Center. With a chance to get back on track in front of nearly 22,000 fans, UNC will play its best game of the season and RJ Davis will take the lead with a win.

Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and NC State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Do you have questions about these teams? Send them to [email protected].

UNC Basketball vs. Alabama: Score Prediction, Scouting Report

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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