UNC basketball vs. American game preview, info, prediction and more
After a week off, the North Carolina Tar Heels return to the court on Friday night to host American in the Dean Dome.
North Carolina is coming off a tough 92-89 road loss at Kansas last week, taking the No. 1 team in the country to the brink. They fell short, allowing a 5-0 Kansas run to close out the game. But the season goes on and the Tar Heels will host American before heading to Hawai'i to face the Rainbow Warriors and then participate in the Maui Invitational.
This is a game in which UNC is a 20+ point favorite for the second time this season. They hope it goes a little better than the first time as they trailed Elon in the second half before pulling out the win.
As we get set for another non-conference tilt, let's get into our preview for Friday's game.
Key to victory for North Carolina
Just play your game. This is a game that North Carolina should win and coming off a tough game on the road at Kansas, they really need to make a statement. This shouldn't be a tough game at all and it should be one where Hubert Davis can get a look at other players outside of the main rotation.
There's no need to feel any pressure. Instead, UNC just needs to go out and have a big game and put it away early.
Something to watch
Will the long week have an impact? The last time UNC was on the court was last Friday, losing by just one possession in one of the toughest places to play against the No. 1 team in the country.
Since then, they have returned and have held practices. But this will be the first game action in a week for the team. The hope is that they don't start off slow and that they can get into a groove early on. There really shouldn't be any rust and if there is, that's not a good sign seeing that their next game is also seven days away in Hawai'i.
What you need to know
What: American University Eagles (1-2) AT North Carolina Tar Heels (1-1)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV: ACC Network
Line: UNC -24.5
Last Meeting: First meeting
All-Time Series: First meeting
Statistical leaders
North Carolina Points: RJ Davis (G) – 20.0 points per game
North Carolina Rebounds: Jae’Lyn Withers (F) – 9.5 rebounds per game
North Carolina Assists: Elliot Cadeau (G) – 7.5 assists per game
American Points: Matt Rogers (F) – 13.3 points per game
American Rebounds: Lincoln Ball (G) – 5.3 rebounds per game
American Assists: Colin Smalls. (G) – 2.3 assists per game
UNC Basketball schedule
Oct. 12: Blue-White Scrimmage (Blue 62, White 53)
Oct. 15: Exhibition @ Memphis (W, 84-76)
Oct. 27: Exhibition vs. Johnson C. Smith (W, 127-63)
Nov. 4: vs. Elon (W, 90-76)
Nov. 8: at Kansas (L, 92-89)
Nov. 15: vs. American University
Nov. 22: at Hawaii
Nov. 25: vs. Dayton (Maui Invitational)
Nov. 26: vs. Auburn or Iowa State (Maui Invitational)
Nov. 27: vs. Colorado, Connecticut, Memphis or Michigan State (Maui Invitational)
Dec. 4: vs. Alabama
Dec. 7: vs. Georgia Tech
Dec. 14: vs. La Salle
Dec. 17: vs. Florida (Jumpman Invitational)
Dec. 21: vs. UCLA (CBS Sports Classic)
Dec. 29: vs. Campbell
Jan. 1: at Louisville
Jan. 4: at Notre Dame
Jan. 7: vs. SMU
Jan. 11: at NC State
Jan. 15: vs. California
Jan. 18: vs. Stanford
Jan. 21: at Wake Forest
Jan. 25: vs. Boston College
Jan. 28: at Pitt
Feb. 1: at Duke
Feb. 8: vs. Pitt
Feb. 10: at Clemson
Feb. 15: at Syracuse
Feb. 19: vs. NC State
Feb. 22: vs. Virginia
Feb. 24: at Florida State
March 1: vs. Miami (FL)
March 4: at Virginia Tech
March 8: vs. Duke
March 11-15: ACC Tournament (Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : UNC basketball vs. American game preview, info, prediction and more
