ATLANTA, Ga. — The University of North Carolina (UNC) is gearing up for a crucial matchup against Georgia Tech on Saturday afternoon, as they aim to secure their third consecutive victory in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This will be the Tar Heels’ second visit to Atlanta this season—home to star freshman Caleb Wilson—following their win over Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic on December 20. After a challenging start to the New Year with a 1–3 record, a victory would propel North Carolina over .500 for January.
As they prepare for the Yellow Jackets, fans of the fast-paced basketball style reminiscent of former coach Roy Williams have much to look forward to. Georgia Tech is currently operating at the fastest tempo in ACC play, averaging a 16.1-second possession—both figures leading the conference. However, this aggressive approach comes with its pitfalls, as the Yellow Jackets also register an alarmingly high turnover rate of 19.8 percent. This creates ample transition opportunities for the Tar Heels, who recently demonstrated their ability to capitalize on fast breaks during their game in Charlottesville.
Head coach Hubert Davis highlighted the improvements made in rebounding during their last game, where players like Jarin and Caleb sprinted effectively down the court, helping the team convert fast breaks into easy baskets, which proved essential for turning the tide in that matchup.
Historically, the atmosphere at McCamish Pavilion has posed challenges for the Tar Heels. North Carolina holds a 5–5 record in their last ten visits to the venue, with notable setbacks coming from teams that were stronger on paper. Among these were two of the last three squads that earned No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, including the 2017 national championship team, which faced losses in Atlanta. UNC’s struggles at Georgia Tech remain evident, especially considering that the Yellow Jackets have not been ranked in any of the last ten encounters. The last occasion the Tar Heels faced a ranked Georgia Tech team was back in 2004.
Additionally, this game will mark the third time Hub Davis and Georgia Tech’s head coach Damon Stoudamire meet on the court, having previously been teammates during the 1996–97 NBA season with the Toronto Raptors. Under Stoudamire’s leadership since March 2023, he has a 1–1 record against North Carolina and an overall coaching record of 42-43.
As UNC heads into this pivotal game, they have the opportunity not only to improve their standings in the conference but also to find momentum as they push towards a successful season. With determination and a focus on their strengths, the Tar Heels have the potential to rewrite their history in Atlanta and make this game a memorable one.