UConn vs North Carolina: 2023-24 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

UConn and North Carolina will go toe to toe in the second game of the Jimmy V. classic on Tuesday as they both look to continue their strong starts to the season. 

TV schedule: Tuesday, December 5th, 9:00 pm ET, ESPN

Arena: Madison Square Garden

This college basketball season has started off with a bang as the non-conference has been extremely more entertaining than years past and it won’t be slowing down any time soon as UConn and North Carolina look to dazzle in a fast-paced, high-scoring affair in the mecca of basketball. One team should have the edge in what should be, on paper, an awesome game.

Connecticut went into Allen Fieldhouse and almost took down the Kansas Jayhawks, but they fell just short 65-69 and their non-Big East winning streak came to an end. If you can play there, you can play anywhere, as it is arguably the most difficult place to play in the nation. Donovan Clingan won’t be able to take a night off, as he now has to face off with another dominant big man in Armando Bacot. Clingan struggled offensively against Kansas, but he was able to slow down Dickinson for the most part. I’d give the edge to Clingan in this matchup; while Bacot is more athletic than Dickinson, he is smaller and less disciplined on the defensive end. UConn is hopeful that Stephon Castle can return in this one, which would add lethal scorer to this loaded backcourt. Cam Spencer was a little banged up against Kansas, so we will see how effective he is on Tuesday.

North Carolina has shot out of a cannon to start this season, aside from their overtime loss to Villanova. They absolutely blitzed Tennessee, putting up 100 points on one of the best defenses in the country. Then, after a slow start, they were able to score 49 second-half points to secure a 78-70 victory against an underrated Florida State team. RJ Davis is an absolute problem for opposing teams, scoring almost 20 points a night. Bacot is a force on the block, and the addition of Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan has made this team an absolute juggernaut.

We should be in for fireworks on Tuesday night as two of the top offenses should shine at MSG. UConn, technically, plays a slower tempo than most, but I see North Carolina wanting to get out and run with the Huskies happy to oblige. I am going to give the edge to UConn; they are closer to home so they should have slightly more fan support, and they have a plethora of scoring options. They’re looking to prove themselves after the loss to Kansas, and putting up points in bunches against UNC is a perfect opportunity to do just that. Tristan Newton vs RJ Davis will be one of the best guard matchups all season, and I am fairly confident it will deliver.

Prediction: UConn: 87, North Carolina 79