Top-10 teams North Carolina and Kansas are set to face off in an exciting early-season showdown on Thursday night at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas (1-0) and North Carolina (1-0) both opened their seasons with wins, and this game brings added excitement as it’s their first meeting since the 2022 NCAA Tournament championship game, where Kansas won 72-69 after a stunning second-half comeback. With both teams featuring talented rosters, this highly anticipated matchup will be a great test for each team as they look to build momentum early in the season.
North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina started their season with a 90-76 win over Elon, though it was a closer game than expected. The Tar Heels jumped out to an early 16-point lead, but a rough stretch in the second half saw them briefly fall behind. A strong 21-5 run late in the game allowed them to secure the victory. R.J. Davis led North Carolina with 24 points, contributing not only scoring but also 7 rebounds and 7 assists, showing his importance to the team on both ends.
Freshman guard Elliot Cadeau made an impact as well, scoring 17 points and dishing out 8 assists, helping the offense stay on track when things got tight. North Carolina’s focus will be on improving their defense and consistency as they aim to take down the top-ranked Jayhawks.
Kansas Jayhawks
The Kansas Jayhawks kicked off their season with a dominant 87-57 win over Howard, displaying both offensive and defensive prowess. Graduate transfer Zeke Mayo led the scoring with 19 points, showing his ability to be a scoring threat alongside preseason All-American Hunter Dickinson, who added 16 points and six rebounds.
Coach Bill Self praised Mayo’s shooting and aggressiveness, seeing it as a valuable addition to the team’s depth. Kansas excelled defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and holding Howard to just 37.9% shooting, while also showing balance with 10 players scoring. The Jayhawks, aiming to stay undefeated, will look to control the game from the start and keep the pressure on the visiting Tar Heels.
Game Prediction
This game pits two of college basketball’s most storied programs against each other in what promises to be a thrilling contest. Kansas has a slight edge with their powerful lineup and home-court advantage, but North Carolina has shown resilience and offensive potential that could make it a tight game.
Kansas’s defense, which proved solid in their first game, will be tested by North Carolina’s offensive threats, and it may come down to which team can make stops in key moments. Look for Kansas to lean on their home support and their depth to hold off a strong effort from North Carolina.
Prediction: Kansas wins 80-75
