Heels vs Hokies
| North Carolina | Virginia Tech | |
| Record | 17-2 | 12-7 |
| ACC Record | 6-0 | 4-2 |
| KenPom Rank | #5 | #107 |
| Points per game | 86.2 | 77.1 |
| Adj. Off. Efficiency(Rank) | 121.7(3rd) | 106.9(119th) |
| Ad. Def. Efficiency(Rank) | 96.5(49th) | 101.0(128th) |
| Tempo(Rank) | 73.6(31st) | 71.9(72nd) |
| Offensive eFG% | 53.0% | 49.7% |
| Defensive eFG% | 48.7% | 48.7% |
| Field Goal % | 48.8% | 45.1% |
| 2P FG% | 54.9% | 49.1% |
| 3P FG% | 31.8% | 34.2% |
| FT% | 74.4% | 67.5% |
| Offensive Reb Rate | 39.3% | 32.7% |
| Defensive Reb Rate | 71.5% | 31.8% |
| TO Rate | 14.8% | 17.7% |
| FT Rate | 34.9% | 50.5% |
| 3PA% | 26.3% | 26.6% |
Is it possible Virginia Tech is more than what the numbers say? Through six ACC games and a 4-2 league mark that might be the case. The overall numbers say this isn't even a good team. The efficiency on both ends is lacking, the team doesn't rebound well and the only truly excellent stat is free throw rate. Unfortunately for the Hokies that is paired with a 67% free throw percentage meaning it isn't nearly as effective.
And yet none of that has mattered. The Hokies beat Virginia and Wake Forest in Blacksburg, won a close game at Georgia Tech and took Notre Dame to the wire. The only bad showing in ACC play was at Duke where Virginia Tech lost by nearly 30. Over the course of the season so far, an opening loss to 301st ranked Alabama State is the only true blemish. The other six losses have been against top 100 teams.
Needless to say UNC is walking into a virtual hornet's nest in Blacksburg. Inclement weather games can be weird and the Tar Heels come in looking for a shooting stroke that's been notably absent over the past two games. The numbers say UNC should dominate the boards and the offense have its way with a less than stellar defense. Virginia Tech's body of work, especially at home, says none of that matters meaning UNC is in for a tough fight.
