UNC vs Clemson Preview

The last three games for North Carolina have brought about uncertainty around their NCAA Tournament aspirations.

Close losses to Pittsburgh and Duke were followed up with a non-competitive game against Wake Forest.

Now, the Tar Heels have a chance to get back on track with a handful of Quad 1 and Quad 2 games over the next two weeks.

On Saturday, the Clemson Tigers will come to Chapel Hill, looking for just their second road win over North Carolina in program history.

Brad Brownell's squad enters at 18-6 overall and tied atop the ACC standings with Virginia and Pittsburgh.

Fifth year forward Hunter Tyson has made the most of his extra year of eligibility, pacing the Tigers with 16.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Tyson is an efficient scorer at all three levels, shooting 84.4 percent from the free throw line and 43.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Center P.J. Hall has transformed into one of the best big men in the conference, pouring in 14.3 points and pulling down 5.4 rebounds per game.

Guards Chase Hunter (14.1 points) and Brevin Galloway (10.8 points) round out the double digit scorers for Clemson, who looks to snap a two-game losing streak against the Tar Heels.

As a unit, the Tigers are one of the most well-rounded teams in the ACC. Although their schedule is back-loaded to close out the regular season, they have put up impressive numbers compared to other programs across the league.

Clemson ranks first in the conference in opponent field goal percentage, holding them to just 39.1% shooting from the field. Offensively, the Tigers sit second with a 37.3% conversion rate from three-point range and they are first in the ACC in free throw percentage at 80.2%.

For North Carolina, the biggest advantage will be in the rebounding department. While they average 28.7 defensive rebounds to the Tigers' 28.1, the difference on the offensive end is staggering.

The Tar Heels pull down 11.3 offensive boards per game with Clemson recording just 7.1, good for 14th in the ACC. Armando Bacot, who has 101 offensive rebounds on the season, has more than Tyson (34) and Hall (32) combined.

Bacot's ability to be active on the glass, particularly on offense, can go a long way in helping North Carolina snap their three-game losing streak.

Shot selection has been the main issue and has caused the Tar Heels to enter bubble talks heading into the last 30 days of the season.

Bacot has been consistent when given the ball down low, but guards R.J. Davis and Caleb Love have struggled over the last three games.

Contested three-point shots and shot attempts early in the shot clock have not only lead to scoreless possessions, but often contributed to fast break opportunities for their opponents.

To be successful, North Carolina needs to get Armando Bacot as many touches as possible. Whether it leads to high-percentage looks at the rim or forces Bacot to pass out of the double team, this is the best formula for success for the Tar Heels.

Although matchups against Miami, NC State, and Virginia are set to take place over the next two weeks, North Carolina cannot stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation without a win today.

Can the Tar Heels snap their three game losing streak and earn their first victory of the month?