The 20-7 Tar Heels are riding a nine-game winning streak, the longest streak since 2009, into PNC Arena to take on the upset-minded 17-10 Wolfpack.

UNC Head Coach Roy Williams says N.C. State star T.J. Warren presents all sorts of problems for both the Carolina defense and the rest of the ACC.

“He’s really hard to guard. It’s not like he gets out there and they clear the floor and let him go one-on-one or anything. He gets all of it within the offense. He shoots a great percentage. To me, that’s the biggest key,” Coach Williams says.

Even though Carolina held down Warren for a majority of the first half in Carolina’s 84-70 home win against N.C. State on Feb. 1, Coach Williams says there was no way he was pleased with his defense that day.

“I think that our defense is getting better and better. But against State last time, they shot 65 percent against us in the second half. I wasn’t going to be bragging about our defense that day I guarantee it,” Coach Williams says.

Coach Williams says he’s not worried about any NCAA Tournament bracket projections this time of the year. He instructs his team to stay focused and keep playing hard. If they do that, he says “good things can happen”.

“Guys, we just got to play. You just got to play. If you play, it takes care of everything. The only thing I said to you and my team is that we were in a big hole, and they dug themselves out and put us in position. Now some good things can happen,” Coach Williams says.

Tar Heel gathering (Todd Melet)

Tar Heel gathering (Todd Melet)

There are a couple question marks for the N.C. State contest. Kennedy Meeks and Leslie McDonald are both banged up; although both assured reporters they planned on being out on the court with their team.

Coach Williams says he’s unsure about Meeks’ preparedness for the game because so far, his preparation has been restricted to a very different domain from a basketball court: the swimming pool.

“Kennedy didn’t do anything except go swimming. I don’t know how that’s going make him more consistent. Maybe his backstroke will help?” Coach Williams says.

The Tar Heels lead the all-time series against the Wolfpack 149-76 and will be hoping to complete a series sweep Wednesday night.