North Carolina Central's men's basketball team is set to face No. 18 North Carolina on Friday in Chapel Hill. Coming off a victory over Bluefield State, they aim to build momentum against the ranked Tar Heels. The matchup marks the fourth time these teams have met, and last time NCCU narrowly lost 73-67. Key players for the Eagles include Gage Lattimore, who scored 38 points in the last game, and Khouri Carvey, who recorded a double-double.

By the Numbers
  • NCCU is 1-3 this season, while UNC is currently 3-0.
  • Gage Lattimore scored 38 points against Bluefield State, hitting 9 of 12 three-pointers.
  • The Eagles forced 16 turnovers in their last game.
State of Play
  • Gage Lattimore is leading the team in scoring at 24.0 points per game, with a perfect free-throw rate.
  • NCCU ranks second in the MEAC for steals (8.75 per game) and third in three-point shooting (36.7%).
  • The Eagles perform well defensively, previously finishing in the top-15 for turnovers forced per game in six out of the last seven seasons.
What's Next

If NCCU can maintain their defensive pressure and balanced scoring, they may challenge UNC for a more competitive game than in previous matchups. A strong performance could also set the tone for their upcoming games against other ranked opponents.

Bottom Line

The Eagles must leverage their recent victory to gain confidence against a ranked opponent. With key players performing well, they aim to disrupt UNC's rhythm and prove they can compete at a higher level this season.