Carolina Basketball Monday Tipoff: Nov. 4

Setting up this week in Tar Heel + ACC basketball.

Welcome to the Monday Tipoff, where we’ll catch up on the weekend and take a look at what's ahead for the Tar Heels and around the ACC and nation.

Expect this column to grow over the next several weeks with observations, analysis and all of the best plays and silliest moments in college hoops.

Looking Back

Carolina 96, Winston-Salem State 61

As ugly a 35-point victory as you’ll see, leaving Roy Williams highly displeased with his team’s turnovers and defense. It makes sense that turnovers are an issue early for an uptempo offense that has all kinds of new pieces on the floor. What was more concerning was the inability to keep WSSU’s guards from penetrating and finding open shooters on the wings. Carolina won’t live to tell about that sort of thing against ACC competition.

To make matters worse, the Tar Heels lost Brandon Robinson early in the first half with a sprained right ankle that figures to keep him sidelined for a bit. On a positive note, x-rays were negative for Robinson and there was no break or fracture.  Still, there were a few positives, like the great stretch from Leaky Black in the second half, Andrew Platek’s all-around game and Christian Keeling’s scoring ability.

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m. (ACC Network)

KenPom: Win, 83 percent

The Irish were snakebitten by injuries and befallen by youth last season, finishing 14-19 and 3-15 in the ACC. One positive to come of a tough season was the amount of experience Mike Brey was able to get youngsters like DJ Harvey (10.7 points), Prentiss Hubb (8.1 points, 4 assissts) and Nate Laszewski (6.9 points).

Add in an experienced core of John Mooney (14.1 points, 11.2 rebounds) and TJ Gibbs (13.4 points) plus a healthy Rex Pflueger (8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds), and Notre Dame has a shot to get back to the top half of the ACC.

Opening with a conference game isn’t ideal for anyone, and meeting a team that’s as well-coached as the Irish is even less ideal for Carolina. The Tar Heels will have to be much better defensively than they showed on Friday night, or they’ll be in for a tough night.

Friday, at UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m.

KenPom: Win, 98 percent

A really cool matchup as Roy Williams will take Carolina down I-40 to meet his former assistant C.B. McGrath and the Seahawks.

McGrath inherited a depleted roster in Wilmington after the departure of Kevin Keatts, and it’s been a challenge to get the program back into contention in the CAA. The Seahawks should be improved this season with transfers Mike Okauru (Florida), Carter Skaggs (Washington State) and Marten Linssen (Valparaiso).

While UNCW finds out what it’s got with eight total newcomers on the roster, the Seahawks are set at guard with Kai Toews (8.7 points, 7.7 assists), Ty Gadsden (11.5 points) and Jay Estime (7.5 points).

The Tar Heels should have little trouble in this one.

Player to Watch

With no timetable on Robinson’s return, there will be some backcourt minutes available.

Andrew Platek’s performance in the exhibition victory should certainly lead to more opportunities, especially for a team still looking to build an identity with toughness and defense.

Platek’s defense wasn’t a strength in the past, but he looked more active and improved on Friday night.He’ll certainly play a role this week, and with Robinson likely out, perhaps a bigger role than anyone imagined just a few days ago.

Around the ACC

All kinds of preseason reading out there this week, like ESPN’s ACC predictions. 

A neat story on how Syracuse began a tradition of standing until the first basket.

Projecting how the rotation might shake out at Virginia this season.

Friend of the program Conor O’Neill of the Winston-Salem Journal opines on Wake Forest.

ACC Viewing Guide

Tuesday
No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 4 Duke, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

The Champions Classic delivers yet again with the nation’s top four teams. Duke has its deepest team in years and all kinds of questions about how it will all fit together. Tre Jones is the only certainty for what will be a more balanced group that projects as a strong defensive team.

No. 5 Louisville at Miami, 6:30 p.m. (ACC Network)

It’s showtime for Louisville, which has quickly returned to the ACC’s elite. The Cards have the league’s best returning player in Jordan Nwora, who will team with Dwayne Sutton and big man Stephen Enoch to form a strong, experienced core.

Combine that with a chance to watch Chris Lykes destroy defenders, and you’ve got a pretty good game.

Wednesday
No. 11 Virginia at Syracuse, 9 p.m. (ACC Network)

The defending champs open at the Carrier Dome. We know Tony Bennett is one of the best coaches in the nation, but is he good enough to lead Virginia to a road victory in its first game without three starters who are now in the NBA?

Around the Nation

A cool story on Myles Powell, who’s responsible for big expectations at Seton Hall this season.

Kentucky transfer Quade Green received a waiver and can play immediately at Washington.

Preseason Final Four predictions from Sports Illustrated.

Transfers who could make an impact this season.

National Viewing Guide

Tuesday
No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Kentucky, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Cassius Winston is a popular preseason pick for national player of the year honors after leading the Spartans to last season’s Final Four. The Wildcats, meanwhile, have another stellar recruiting class while mixing in a few experienced returning guards.

Wednesday
Cincinnati at No. 18 Ohio State, 8:30 p.m. (FS1)

Get a look at Carolina’s ACC-Big Ten Challenge opponent as Kaleb Wesson and the Buckeyes open their season. Freshman point guard DJ Carton was one of the nation’s top recruits.

Friday
UNC Greensboro at No. 3 Kansas (ESPNU)

Wes Miller and the Spartans gave Kentucky a challenge at Rupp Arena last season, and they’ll try to repeat the feat at Allen Fieldhouse. UNCG will again compete for a SoCon title behind Isaiah Miller, Kyrin Galloway and James Dickey.

Washington vs. No. 16 Baylor, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Finish Friday evening with this one and get a look at Washington freshman Isaiah Stewart, who already has the body of an NBA All-Star.

Meet a Mid-Major

Utah State

After finishing No. 38 in the KenPom ratings and reaching the NCAA Tournament last season, the Aggies bring back almost everyone, including Mountain West Player of the Year Sam Merrill (20.9 points, 4.2 assists).

Utah State has a strong tradition of and when the Aggies get ESPN games, it’s clear just how much passion fans have for the program.

They’ll have plenty to be excited about this season as the MWC favorites. The Aggies have put up great offensive numbers under third-year Coach Craig Smith, and they stand to take another step this season thanks to Neemias Queta (11.8 points, 8.9 rebounds), Diogo Brito (8.2 points) and Brock Miller (8.1 points).