UNC basketball opens the 2024-25 season hosting the Elon Phoenix on Monday.
UNC basketball will open their 2024-25 by welcoming the Elon University Phoenix on Nov. 4th at 9 p.m. This is the fifth meeting between the two programs since Elon joined Division 1 in 1999. The Tar Heels have won each meeting, with the average margin of victory being 29.5 points.
General Information
Teams: UNC (0-0) and Elon (0-0)
Tip time: 9 p.m. EST
Watch: ACC Network
Listen: WCHL 97.9 FM (Internet Radio)
What to know about Elon:
The Phoenix are coming off a 13-19 campaign in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). They finished 11th in conference play with a 6-11 record, the program’s seventh consecutive losing season in CAA play. Elon fell in the first round of the CAA Tournament, losing to Hampton 56-55.
TK Simpkins, a junior guard out of Brooklyn, NY, is Elon’s top returning player in multiple categories. He averaged 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season. Senior forward Sam Sherry, who also had 4.7 rebounds per game last season, will look to give the Phoenix another one-two punch on the boards.
Simpkins would like to lead the Phoenix to their biggest victory since joining Division I.
Latest on UNC basketball
The Tar Heels ended their exhibition schedule with a dominant victory over Division II program Johnson C. Smith. Freshman guard Ian Jackson led the team with 21 points off the bench, giving fans hope that Carolina will have a deep bench and multiple scoring threats outside the starters.
RJ Davis, returning for his fifth season, added 15 points and 3 assists. This should ease fans’ worries after Davis left the Blue-White Scrimmage with a lower back contusion. His leadership will be a key component if Carolina wants to repeat as ACC regular-season champions.
Another preseason honor for @ariidavis_ 📈
NABC Preseason Player of the Year honors for our guy RJ. pic.twitter.com/uOoUfqxMVW
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) October 30, 2024
Vanderbilt transfer Ven-Allen Lubin dropped 18 points and 12 rebounds, the only player to record a double-double. Cade Tyson, a forward transfer from Belmont, looked to solidify his place in the starting line-up with 10 points and 4 rebounds. Elliot Cadeau wants to improve on his freshman campaign, so he put up 12 points and a team-leading 8 assists.
North Carolina is looking to rely on a strong returning roster, a top-rated recruited class and key transfers to give their fans another exciting season.