Elon University Phoenix vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 4th 2024

Preview and Prediction

The era following Armando Bacot's time at North Carolina will commence on Monday night as the team takes on Elon in their season opener for the 2024-25 season.

Despite the loss of their top rebounder and second-highest scorer in school history due to graduation, the Tar Heels have a talented roster this season. Leading the way are first-team All-American R.J. Davis and backcourt partner Elliott Cadeau.

Davis, a fifth-year senior, averaged 21.2 points per game last season. Cadeau, who has been compared to former standout Kendall Marshall, lived up to expectations in his freshman year and has worked on improving his shooting during the offseason.

"I now have the confidence going into this season," Cadeau said of his shooting.

In addition to Bacot, the Heels also said goodbye to their third- and fourth-leading scorers, Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan, who combined for 23.7 points per game and provided leadership for the team.

Replacing Bacot's presence in the frontcourt will be 6-foot-10 Jalen Washington, while Vanderbilt transfer Ven-Allen Lubin adds depth to the frontcourt. Swingman Cade Tyson is expected to be a reliable shooter for the team.

Junior guard Seth Trimble is poised for a breakout season after being a key bench player for the past two years. Freshmen Drake Powell and Ian Jackson are also expected to make an immediate impact for the Heels, who have their sights set on returning to the Final Four after falling to Alabama in the Sweet Sixteen last season. The team finished with a 29-8 record and were the ACC regular-season champions.

Coach Hubert Davis, entering his fourth season at the helm, has emphasized playing at a fast pace.

"I want us to be the fastest team in the country from free throw line to free throw line," Davis stated.

The Heels have a perfect 4-0 record against in-state rival Elon. The two teams last met in December 2021, with the Heels coming out on top 80-63.

Elon coach Billy Taylor expressed his excitement about playing against North Carolina, calling it "an honor for our program."

The Phoenix had a 13-19 record last season, with a 3-12 record on the road. This season, they will play seven of their first eight games away from home.

They are not expected to have a much better season this year, as they were picked to finish 12th in the 14-team Coastal Athletic Association in the preseason polls.

Junior guard TK Simpkins, the team's leading scorer last season (13.8 ppg) and one of their top rebounders (4.7), was named to the Preseason All-CAA Second Team. 6-foot-11 forward Sam Sherry, who averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds last season, also returns for the Phoenix.

The team said goodbye to two other top players, Max Mackinnon and Rob Higgins, who transferred to Portland and used up his eligibility, respectively.

The team is hoping that freshman point guard Trey O'Neil, who was recruited from IMG Academy, and four transfers - center Matthew Van Komen, and guards Andrew King, Jameel Rideout, and TJ Simpkins (TK's twin brother) - will make immediate contributions to the team.

PREDICTION

Elon University Phoenix

North Carolina Tar Heels

Elon University Phoenix vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Recap NOV 4TH 2024

A 27.5-point favorite at home, No. 9 North Carolina remarkably trailed Elon by two points with under seven minutes left Monday night.

Cue RJ Davis.

The fifth-year senior All-American sank a floater in the lane and swished a 3-pointer from the right corner on back-to-back possessions and UNC surged to a 90-76 win in the season opener for both teams in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Tar Heels ended the game on a 21-5 run. They scored 11 consecutive points after falling behind 71-69 with 6:48 left on a pair of free throws from TJ Simpkins.

That spurt, which spanned three minutes and six seconds, allowed the Heels to avoid an embarrassing loss to an in-state opponent that ended last season with a 13-19 record, including 3-12 on the road.

Elon trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half and 69-57 with 10:58 left before ripping off a 14-0 run that included a pair of 3-pointers from Nick Dorn.

Dorn finished with 17 points, including 5-for-10 from 3-point range. Simpkins led the Phoenix with 18 points off the bench, Sam Sherry added 15, and Simpkins' twin brother TK chipped in 14.

UNC also had four starters score in double figures, led by Davis with 24 points. Davis, the preseason ACC Player of the Year, made only 7-of-19 field goals, but all seven free throws. He also had seven assists and seven rebounds.

Backcourt mate Elliot Cadeau posted 17 points and eight assists (seven of them in the first half), Seth Trimble scored 15 points and Jae'lyn Withers notched 10 points and 10 rebounds.

UNC shot only 40 percent. Elon shot 42.6 percent, including 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from behind the arc.

The Heels led 51-39 at the half after taking their largest lead, 42-26, on Ian Jackson's 3-pointer from the left corner with five minutes left. Davis dished to Jackson on the fast break, giving the Heels 12 assists on their first 16 field goals.

Elon responded with a 13-2 run, including three 3-pointers and five points apiece from Nick Dorn and TK Simpkins, before Carolina closed the half with a 7-1 spurt.