North Carolina Tar Heels vs Ucla Bruins Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

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North Carolina Faces Tall Challenge Against No. 18 UCLA

North Carolina will look to snap its skid against ranked opponents when it faces No. 18 UCLA on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden as part of the CBS Sports Classic. The Tar Heels are seeking a quality win to right the ship in what has been an up-and-down season so far.

A Chance for Redemption

The Tar Heels (6-5) have struggled against ranked teams, going 0-4 this season. However, head coach Hubert Davis is urging his team to stay resilient and take advantage of the opportunity.

“You can stay down, you can point fingers, you can whine and complain, or you can get your tail back up and step forward and start swinging again,” Davis said. “It’s an opportunity for us to get back up and move forward, and we’re going to do that.”

The matchup against the Bruins will be no easy task. UCLA (10-1) is riding a nine-game winning streak and has showcased dominance on both ends of the floor. Most recently, the Bruins routed Prairie View A&M 111-75 on Tuesday night.

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UCLA’s Momentum and Defensive Strength

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin is preparing for the Tar Heels’ quick-paced attack but feels confident in his team’s current form.

“Carolina has got some really fast guys off the bounce,” Cronin said.

The Bruins are excelling defensively, forcing an average of 18.5 turnovers per game, one of the best rates in the nation. This could spell trouble for North Carolina, which struggled with ball handling in its recent 90-84 loss to No. 7 Florida. Costly turnovers undermined a late comeback effort, highlighting an area the Tar Heels must address.

Key Players to Watch

North Carolina guard RJ Davis, a preseason All-American, provided a bright spot against Florida with 29 points, including three 3-pointers. It was one of his most efficient games this season, as he shot 10-for-19 from the field and exceeded 50 percent shooting for the first time.

“RJ has been a big-time player for five years,” Hubert Davis said. “I’ve never been concerned or thought about percentages in terms of his shooting, but my focus is the growth and the potential of this team.”

For UCLA, center Aday Mara has been making strides off the bench. The 7-foot-3 freshman grabbed 10 rebounds against Prairie View A&M, though Cronin emphasized the need to limit his turnovers.

“I know he can pass,” Cronin said. “He has got to quit traveling. I’m just trying to get him to catch it, turn, pivot, and hit the first open man.”

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The Bruins are also monitoring the health of Tyler Bilodeau, the team’s leading scorer (14.1 points per game) and rebounder (5.5 rebounds per game). While Bilodeau exited Tuesday’s game after a hard fall, Cronin assured that he is expected to play against North Carolina.

What’s at Stake

For the Tar Heels, a win over UCLA would mark their first victory against a ranked opponent this season and provide a much-needed confidence boost heading into the holiday break. The Bruins, on the other hand, are looking to extend their winning streak and solidify their standing as one of the top teams in the country.

The game promises to be a test of resilience for North Carolina and a chance for UCLA to prove its consistency against a storied opponent.

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