After a quick ACC matchup, the Tar Heels will continue their non-conference schedule with the La Salle University Explorers on Saturday at the Smith Center.

The matchup will be the first between the schools since 1988. La Salle, which competes in the Atlantic 10, started the season well with four straight wins but has lost four of six games through Saturday, including two in a row.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Overall record: 5-4
Conference record: 1-0
Home record: 3-1
Away record: 1-1
Neutral site record: 1-2

La Salle Explorers

Overall record: 6-4
Conference record: 0-0
Home record: 4:0
Away record: 1-1
Neutral site record: 1-3

North Carolina

RJ Davis (Gr. Guard) – 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists
Seth Trimble (Jr. Guard) – 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Elliot Cadeau (So. Guard) – 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists

La Salle

Corey McKeithan (Sr. Guard) – 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists
Jahlil White (Sr. Guard) – 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Daeshon Shepherd (Sr. Guard) – 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Improve three-point shooting

Without an inside presence, the three-pointer has become crucial to the Heels offense. North Carolina’s shooting from beyond the arc has been abysmal in its last two games. They shot 17 percent against Alabama (5 for 28) and 20 percent against Georgia Tech (5 for 24).

Rebound and second chance points

Surprisingly, the Heels are currently outscoring their opponents by a margin of 1.7 rebounds per game. On the other hand, the Explorers are outscoring their opponents by a margin of 4.3 rebounds per game. In this game, rebounds and second chance points may well matter.

Expect a high scoring game in this game. Carolina currently ranks 333rd out of 355 teams in scoring defense and is giving up 80 PPG. La Salle is ranked 256th and is giving up 74.1 PPG.

#3 Elliot Cadeau (So. 6’1)
#4 RJ Davis (size 6’0)
#7 Seth Trimble (Jr. 6’3)
#9 Drake Powell (Fr. 6’6)
#13 Jalen Washington (Jr. 6’10)