No. 16 North Carolina Looks to Keep Momentum Rolling in Road Test at Georgia Tech
After a gritty comeback win over then-No. 14 Virginia last weekend, No.
16 North Carolina is riding some serious momentum into Saturday’s matchup against Georgia Tech. The Tar Heels have strung together two straight wins, and with a full week between games, the focus now shifts to sustaining that rhythm - especially on the road in a sold-out McCamish Pavilion.
Head coach Hubert Davis knows consistency is the name of the game this time of year. “We’re consistently practicing well and stacking days in practice,” Davis said.
“Each week has its own life. ... In order to be a good team, you have to sustain that.”
And right now, North Carolina is showing signs of becoming just that - a good team rounding into form at the right time. At 16-4 overall and 4-3 in ACC play, the Heels are starting to click, thanks in large part to the emergence of some key contributors.
Caleb Wilson Continues to Shine
Freshman forward Caleb Wilson has been nothing short of electric. He’s led the team in scoring in four straight games - his longest such streak of the season - and continues to put up numbers that turn heads.
With 14 games of 20-plus points, Wilson has already tied Tyler Hansbrough’s North Carolina freshman record for most 20-point outings. That’s elite company.
“I don’t think anybody can see the ceiling; it’s so high for him,” Davis said. It’s hard to disagree. Wilson’s blend of size, skill, and poise has made him a matchup nightmare, and his production has been a steadying force for this Tar Heel squad.
Dixon’s Confidence Growing
Another player making a strong impact is guard Derek Dixon. He’s scored in double figures in each of the last three games and is logging heavy minutes - 90 over that stretch - while embracing a bigger role.
“Derek is a very confident player, very fundamentally sound,” Davis said. “He has become more vocal throughout the year.” That growing voice and presence on the court has added another layer to Carolina’s backcourt, and his development couldn’t come at a better time.
Bogavac Making His Mark from Deep
Off the bench, Luka Bogavac has quietly become the team’s most reliable threat from beyond the arc. Despite coming off the bench for most of January, he leads the Tar Heels with 29 made threes this season.
Davis isn’t concerned with who starts and who comes off the bench - it’s about impact. “It has always been a non-factor for me as a player and a coach,” he said.
“He has been really good for us lately.” And with floor spacing at a premium, Bogavac’s shooting gives UNC another weapon in its arsenal.
Georgia Tech Searching for Answers
On the other side, Georgia Tech enters the weekend looking to snap out of a tough stretch. The Yellow Jackets have dropped back-to-back games and five of their last six overall, with their only win in that span coming via a 78-74 upset at NC State.
Head coach Damon Stoudamire is still searching for the right formula. “We’ve got to figure it out,” he said.
“It’s still a lot of fun to try to figure it out on the run. We’ve just got to keep fighting.”
Turnovers have been a particular sore spot. “You just can’t do it,” Stoudamire said.
“It has to hurt.” And lately, they’ve been costly - stalling momentum and erasing promising stretches of play.
Still, there are signs of life. In Tuesday’s loss to Virginia Tech, freshman Jaeden Mustaf delivered his best all-around performance of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds - leading the team in both categories for the first time this year. He’s hit double figures in four of eight ACC games and is beginning to find his footing in the college game.
Kam Craft also gave the Jackets a lift, returning to the starting lineup and knocking down all three of the team’s three-pointers en route to an 11-point night. “It’s good to see him see some shots go in,” Stoudamire said. “Hopefully, it will have some carryover going into Saturday.”
The Matchup
For North Carolina, this is a chance to build on recent success and keep climbing the ACC standings. For Georgia Tech, it’s about showing resilience and finding a spark - especially in front of a home crowd eager to see their team turn the corner.
The Tar Heels are starting to look like a team with real postseason potential, powered by a rising star in Wilson and a growing supporting cast. But as Davis said, each week has its own life. Saturday in Atlanta will be about whether UNC can keep this one going - or if Georgia Tech can throw a wrench into the Tar Heels’ upward trajectory.