The Tar Heels are hitting the road once again, wrapping up a January stretch that’s tested their endurance and depth. Saturday’s matchup against Georgia Tech at McCamish Pavilion marks UNC’s fifth ACC road game in just seven outings this month - a grind that’s as much mental as it is physical.
Coming off a well-timed breather, North Carolina hasn’t played since last Saturday’s hard-fought 85-80 win at Virginia. That win wasn’t just another tally in the “W” column - it was a statement.
The Heels showed poise in a tough road environment, leaned on their veteran leadership, and executed down the stretch. At 16-4 overall and 4-3 in ACC play, they’re very much in the thick of the conference race, and every game from here on out carries weight.
On the other side, Georgia Tech is still trying to find its rhythm under first-year head coach Damon Stoudamire. The Yellow Jackets are 11-10 overall and just 2-6 in ACC play, but they’ve had their moments.
They knocked off NC State on the road and gave Duke a real scare in Durham, falling by just six. Most recently, they came up short at Virginia Tech, 71-65 - another game that was within reach late.
For Tech, the challenge will be consistency. Since early December, their performances have been a mixed bag, and while the potential is there, they haven’t strung together the kind of momentum that turns close losses into wins. Stoudamire’s squad plays hard, but they’ll need to be sharp on both ends to hang with a UNC team that’s starting to find its stride.
Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. ET, with coverage on the ACC Network.
For North Carolina, it’s another chance to prove they can handle the road grind. For Georgia Tech, it’s an opportunity to shake up the standings and build something in front of the home crowd.