North Carolina Visits Virginia Tech For Big Monday

After playing Saturday at home against Georgia Tech  North Carolina goes on the road to Blacksburg to visit Virginia Tech for a Big Monday matchup.

The Tar Heels are 16-4 overall, 5-2 in the ACC after four consecutive wins over Boston College, Notre Dame, Clemson and Georgia Tech. 
• Virginia Tech is 13-6, 2-4. The Hokies have lost two straight – at Louisville and home vs. Florida State. The Hokies lead the ACC in field goal percentage (.521) and are second in scoring at 85.6 points per game.
• KenPom ranks Carolina 14th in the nation in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
• Carolina is one of three schools in KenPom's top 14 in both offensive and defensive efficiency with Purdue and Michigan State.
• Luke Maye (17.8) and Joel Berry II (17.3) lead Carolina in scoring. The last time two Tar Heels averaged 17 points or more in the same season was 1983-84, when Michael Jordan (19.6) and Sam Perkins (17.6) were UNC's top scoring duo.
• As of 1/21, Berry ranked fourth in the ACC in free throw percentage (.899) and fifth in scoring. Maye was second in the league in rebounding (10.5), fourth in scoring and ninth in field goal percentage (.513).
• As of 1/21, Luke Maye led the ACC and was eighth in the country in defensive rebounds (7.9). Nationally he was 10th in double-doubles (11) and 15th in rebounding (10.5).
• Joel Berry II and Luke Maye are among 25 mid-season candidates for the John R. Wooden Award presented by Wendy's.
• Berry has played in 99 wins as a Tar Heel.
• Carolina is one of four schools that have two players on the mid-season Wooden Award list; Berry and Maye are among five ACC players on the list. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/21/mens-basketball-quick-turnaround-as-tar-heels-visit-virginia-tech-on-monday.aspx


CAROLINA-VIRGINIA TECH SERIES
• Carolina is 67-13 against the Hokies, including 14-3 since Virginia Tech joined the ACC. 
• Carolina has won the last seven games in the series and 12 of the last 13.
• Carolina is 21-6 in Blacksburg against the Hokies, including 8-2 in Cassell Coliseum.
• Roy Williams is 14-3 against Virginia Tech, all as UNC's head coach. "according tohttp://goheels.com/news/2018/1/21/mens-basketball-quick-turnaround-as-tar-heels-visit-virginia-tech-on-monday.aspx


LAST YEAR IN CHAPEL HILL
UNC 91, VIRGINIA TECH 72
• The Tar Heels out-rebounded the Hokies, 43-22 and grabbed 19 offensive boards and scored 20 second-chance points.
• Led by Kennedy Meeks with seven, UNC grabbed 19 offensive rebounds; the Hokies had 18 defensive rebounds.
• Led by five each from Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson, who scored a game-high 26 points, UNC made a season-high 14 three-pointers in a season-high 30 three-point attempts.
• Carolina handed out 25 assists and turned the ball over only seven times.
• Carolina shot 61.3 percent in the second half and had a points per possession of 1.27 in the second half. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/21/mens-basketball-quick-turnaround-as-tar-heels-visit-virginia-tech-on-monday.aspx


THE RPI (as of 1/21)
• Carolina is No. 2 in the nation in the NCAA's RPI behind Duke. Villanova, Xavier and Virginia are ranked 3-5.
• Carolina's strength of schedule is the toughest in the country. UNC's non-conference schedule was the seventh-most difficult in the nation. (UNC went 11-2).
• Carolina's first 20 opponents have an average RPI of 81, which is the highest in the country. 
• The Tar Heels have five Quadrant 1 wins and nine wins in Quadrants 1 and 2. Kansas and Purdue are the only schools with more Q1 wins and UNC's nine wins in Qs1+2 trail only Clemson and Kansas, who each. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/21/mens-basketball-quick-turnaround-as-tar-heels-visit-virginia-tech-on-monday.aspx

As for North Carolina's last game they beat Georgia Tech.

They kept hitting the glass hard — then pulled away after one of its most important players hit the floor hard."according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

Luke Maye had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and the 15th-ranked Tar Heels beat Georgia Tech 80-66 on Saturday. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

Theo Pinson added 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Joel Berry II and Cameron Johnson finished with 16 points apiece to help the Tar Heels (16-4, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

They shot 42 percent and dominated the glass, building a 46-25 rebounding advantage and scoring 26 second-chance points to Georgia Tech's four. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

"We're pushing our guys — as you've heard me say for 15 years how important I think rebounding the ball is," coach Roy Williams said. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

Jose Alvarado scored 17 points and hit four 3-pointers, including one that pulled the Yellow Jackets to 70-62 with about 3½ minutes left. But he fouled Berry on the Tar Heels' ensuing possession, sending the point guard to the floor — and then stepped over him, earning a technical foul with 3:21 to play. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

"I just felt like it was disrespectful to me," Berry said. "I never want anybody to disrespect me like that. So I knew at the time he was going to do it. I just tried to get up fast, because I don't like people stepping over me anyway. I just told him, 'Watch where you're stepping.'" "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

Berry hit three of the four free throws he was awarded to put North Carolina's lead into double figures to stay. The Tar Heels were 19 of 24 from the line, while Georgia Tech was just 3 of 6. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

Josh Okogie led Georgia Tech (10-9, 3-3) with 18 points, while Ben Lammers and Abdoulaye Gueye each had 12. The Yellow Jackets were just 5 of 18 from 3-point range and had 15 turnovers. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

"The whole key is, you've got to make free throws and don't turn the ball over," Tech coach Josh Pastner said. "Those are two areas where we haven't been as good as I would like to be, and that's put us in some positions of some of our losses." "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball


BIG PICTURE
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets had won four in a row before this two-game run against Top 15 opponents. After suffocating against No. 2 Virginia's ACC-best defense, Georgia Tech couldn't keep up with North Carolina's fast-paced offense, which averages nearly 83 points — especially after one stretch in which it had two field goals in 10-plus minutes.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels' winning streak remains intact, but Berry had a rough day until his free-throw bonanza all but iced it. The most outstanding player at the Final Four finished just 3 of 17 from the field and was just 1 of 8 from long range. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball


STAT LINES
Pinson scored in double figures for the third straight game — the first time he's done that in his career. . Johnson's two highest-scoring games as a Tar Heel came this week. He scored 21 in the victory over Clemson. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball


HE SAID IT
"I know Coach. If I tried to do something, Coach would get on me and yell at me, regardless of the situation." — Berry, on keeping his cool after Alvarado stepped over him. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball


MEN IN STRIPES
Official Ted Valentine worked his first North Carolina game since he memorably turned his back on Berry as the guard protested the lack of a foul call during a loss at Florida State on Jan. 3. The first time Valentine blew his whistle was when Berry drew a charging call on Brandon Alston. Berry said Valentine apologized before the game. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball


HONORS
North Carolina placed former forward Justin Jackson's jersey No. 44 in the rafters during a halftime ceremony. He qualified for the honor by winning the ACC player of the year award last season, while helping the Tar Heels win their third NCAA Tournament title since 2005.
r their last game, North Carolina beat Georgia Tech in Chapel Hill on Saturday. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

As for Virginia Tech they come into their game with North Carolina with  a record of 13-6 while they're 2-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/schedule/ and are coming off a loss to Florida State on Saturday.

Despite getting a career-high 26 points from point guard Justin Robinson, Virginia Tech couldn’t get enough stops down the stretch and fell 91-82 to Florida State in an ACC game played Saturday at Carilion Clinic Court. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

The Hokies fell to 13-6 overall, 2-4 in the ACC, and lost to the Seminoles for the third straight time. Florida State moved to 14-5, 3-4 in league play, winning a league road game for the first time this season. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

“I think we’ve got a team good enough to beat any team the rest of the season and I think we’ve got a team that’s good enough to get beat by any team the rest of the season,” Tech coach Buzz Williams said. “I think the line of it … I don’t think it’s ever-changing with our group. I think we’ve figured out what our Achilles heel is. We know where that line is. It’s just really hard to overcome, whether you’re on the road or at home or whether Florida State is 2-4 … regardless of who we play, we know we have to improve.” "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

The Seminoles led the entire second half. M.J. Walker gave Florida State its biggest lead when he scored on three straight possessions during one stretch. His jumper with 11:57 remaining capped his spurt and gave the Seminoles a 61-47 lead. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

The Hokies cut the lead to five on three occasions in the final 34 seconds, with the last time coming on a layup by Justin Robinson with 20 seconds to go. But the Seminoles kept making their free throws, hitting 12 of 14 from the line in the final minute to seal the win. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

Walker paced Florida State with a career-high 24 points, hitting 8 of 13 from the floor, including four 3-pointers. Braian Angola added 14 points for the Seminoles, who had lost three of their past four games since upsetting North Carolina in Tallahassee on Jan. 3. Terance Mann finished with 12. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

Robinson hit 10 of 15 from the floor, including four 3-pointers, and he also dished out six assists. Justin Bibbs added 19 points, and he, too, hit four 3-pointers. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

The Hokies shot 53.3 percent from the floor and made 10 3-pointers, but 13 turnovers led to 20 Florida State points. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

“That’s hard,” Williams admitted. “Obviously, they shoot a high percentage [53.4 percent]. Any team does on live ball turnovers. In the half court, we need to do a better job – I would be at the front of the list – and figure out whatever that is to get more consecutive stops.” "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

GAME NOTES

• For just the second time this season, Tech lost despite shooting better than 50 percent from the floor (Kentucky). "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

• Tech is now 6-3 in games in which it has hit at least 10 3-pointers. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

• The eight free throws made tied for the fewest made by the Hokies in a game this season."according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

• The Hokies went 8 of 15 from the free-throw line. The 53.3 percent is their lowest free-throw shooting percentage in a game this season. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

• Robinson’s 10 field goals also were a career high, along with his seven 3-point attempts. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

• Bibbs’ 19 points were his most since scoring 20 against Radford on Dec. 2 – a span of nine games."according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

• Ahmed Hill’s five assists were a career high. "according to http://goheels.com/news/2018/1/20/mens-basketball-tar-heels-down-yellow-jackets.aspx?path=mbball

Tip-off is set for 7:00pm from Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg. The game will be televised on ESPN. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/schedule/