In most years, the UNC men’s basketball team–and many of the other top programs in the nation–typically kick off the season with a “tune-up” game against an opponent that is far overmatched.

While it’s true that, in most years, opening the season against a small school like Wofford would fit that definition, that’s not exactly the case this time.

The reason why has to do with last season’s matchup between the two teams in Chapel Hill, which saw the Terriers pull off a shocking 79-75 upset over the fifth-ranked Tar Heels at the Dean Dome on Dec. 20, 2017.

It was an uncharacteristic loss for UNC, which entered that night 3-0 all-time against Wofford.

Reigning Southern Conference Player of the Year Fletcher Magee–who doubles as one of the premier sharpshooters in all of college basketball–scored 27 points that night, and then decided after the season to return to school for the 2018-19 campaign.

The Terriers were picked to finish second in this year’s Southern Conference preseason poll, with Magee and forward Cameron Jackson each earning Preseason All-SOCON honors. Jackson was Wofford’s second-leading scorer against UNC last year, pouring in 18 points to go along with nine rebounds and six blocks in the upset victory.

On top of that, this time UNC will have to make its first ever trip to Spartanburg to play at Richardson Indoor Stadium.

As Magee and Jackson look to increase their program’s profile this year with a second win over the Tar Heels–which will be opening the season on the road for just the fourth time since 1986–UNC will be looking to do anything in its power to keep that from happening.

A veteran core consisting of seniors Luke Maye and Kenny Williams alongside graduate transfer Cameron Johnson will bring important experience to the Tar Heel lineup. Both Maye and Williams started and played at least 32 minutes in that loss to Wofford, while Johnson provided 17 minutes off the bench.

All three are expected to start in this year’s edition, with a strong possibility that they are joined by a pair of freshmen with considerable hype surrounding them–point guard Coby White and wing Nassir Little.

White and Little should provide a much-needed spark with their incredible athleticism, but Wofford’s battle-tested experience could easily make things hard for them in their college debut.

With this in mind, the Tar Heels may have to rely on their experience–the guys seeking revenge–in order to get the job done.

Because if one thing’s for sure about this game, it is in no way, shape or form–a “tune-up.”

 

 

 

Cover photo via Todd Melet

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