North Carolina Tar Heels vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Picks and Predictions December 7th 2024

UNC Hosts Georgia Tech in Critical Early ACC Matchup

Two teams eager to reset their seasons meet in an Atlantic Coast Conference showdown on Saturday afternoon when No. 20 North Carolina welcomes Georgia Tech to Chapel Hill, N.C. Both squads are coming off disappointing performances, making this game a pivotal moment in their campaigns.

North Carolina Seeks Stability After Slow Start

The reigning ACC regular-season champions, North Carolina Tar Heels, find themselves at 4-4 — a surprising position for a program of their caliber. This marks their worst start since 2001-02, a season that ended with an 8-20 record.

The Tar Heels’ latest setback came Wednesday in a lopsided 94-79 home loss to No. 10 Alabama. Despite an encouraging start, UNC struggled mightily from beyond the arc, shooting just 17.9% (5-for-28) on 3-pointers.

Head coach Hubert Davis emphasized the need for consistency and sustained effort.

“This group has shown flashes of playing at the level that is required in order to be successful,” Davis said. “The next step forward is to play a full 40 minutes on both sides of the ball. We’ve got to be ready to do that at 2 o’clock on Saturday.”

Key Players to Watch for UNC

• RJ Davis: The preseason All-American leads the team with 18.4 points per game but struggled against Alabama, shooting 7-for-24 from the field and 1-for-11 from three-point range.
• Ian Jackson: The freshman delivered a career-high 23 points off the bench in the loss to Alabama, providing a much-needed spark for the Tar Heels.

UNC must also find consistency in its defensive intensity, something Davis has stressed as crucial for success in ACC play.

Georgia Tech Faces Tough Road Test Amid Injuries

Like UNC, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-4) are searching for answers following a tough loss. On Tuesday, they started strong against No. 21 Oklahoma, jumping out to a 17-6 lead. However, their offense stalled dramatically, with just one made field goal between the 4:03 mark of the first half and the 12:22 mark of the second half.

Missing key starters Javian McCollum (concussion) and Kowacie Reeves Jr. (foot), the Yellow Jackets were outscored 46-27 in the second half, leading to a 76-61 defeat.

“Nobody’s going to feel sorry for you; they don’t care if you have injuries,” head coach Damon Stoudamire said. “We’ve just got to figure out some ways to get through this rough patch.”

Key Players to Watch for Georgia Tech

• Lance Terry: The Yellow Jackets’ leading scorer, averaging 14.6 points per game, will need to shoulder more of the offensive load with McCollum potentially sidelined.
• Baye Ndongo: Averages 12.8 points per game and could play a bigger role in McCollum’s absence.

What’s at Stake?

For North Carolina, this game is a chance to stabilize their season and begin ACC play on the right foot. With their storied program’s reputation on the line, the Tar Heels will need to bring their best to avoid falling below .500.

Georgia Tech, on the other hand, will aim to overcome injuries and prove their resilience. A road win against a ranked opponent would provide a massive confidence boost as they navigate their challenges.

Dive into the latest College Football Week 15 Odds & Predictions for expert insights.

Key Matchup to Watch

• UNC’s RJ Davis vs. Georgia Tech’s Defense: Davis will look to bounce back from his rough shooting night, but Georgia Tech’s defenders will aim to exploit his recent struggles.
• Yellow Jackets’ Offense vs. Tar Heels’ Defense: Georgia Tech must avoid prolonged scoring droughts like the one that doomed them against Oklahoma.

With both teams eager to reset and make a statement, this ACC opener promises to be a hard-fought, high-stakes battle in Chapel Hill.