Carolina Basketball Monday Tipoff: Nov. 11

Only one game this week.

Nell Redmond | USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the Monday Tipoff, where we’ll catch up on the weekend and take a look at what's ahead for the Tar Heels and around the ACC and nation.

Expect this column to grow over the next several weeks with observations, analysis and all of the best plays and silliest moments in college hoops.

Looking Back

Carolina 78, UNC Wilmington 62

The Tar Heels are still figuring things out offensively, and it certainly didn't help that Armando Bacot played three minutes before taking a shot to the head that sidelined him for the rest of the game.

Despite some of the offensive struggles that limited Carolina to just 1 point per possession, it got a complete game from Justin Pierce, who said he wanted to focus on doing the little things and let scoring take care of itself. He was a monster on the boards, and playing with more confidence than he did on Wednesday, let it fly from beyond the arc and finished around the basket.

In addition to the double-doubles the Tar Heels got from Cole Anthony (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Garrison Brooks (18 points, 12 rebounds), Leaky Black had an efficient night with 8 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 32 minutes.

One point of concern for Roy Williams was seeing the smaller Seahawks hang around in the rebounding battle, as UNC had a 54-48 edge.

Looking Ahead

Friday, vs. Gardner-Webb, 9 p.m. (ACC Network)

KenPom: Win, 99 percent percent

This isn't quite the same team that beat Georgia Tech and Wake Forest last season, but the Runnin' Bulldogs still have some talent on the roster in guard Jose Perez (16 points, rebounds) and forward Eric Jamison (11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds).

GWU has struggled with turnovers this season, with 38 through two games. Meanwhile, Carolina has struggled with forcing them, ranking 319th nationally in defensive turnover percentage. Something's got to give, and it'll likely be the Tar Heels finally breaking through.

This one shouldn't be close, so expect the likes of Anthony and Brooks to get some rest while Carolina goes deeper into the bench to try to get reserves some much-needed time as injuries continue to pile up.

Player to Watch

With Bacot potentially sidelined with a head injury, post minutes could be available for Walker Miller or Brandon Huffman.

It was Huffman who got the bigger opportunity on Friday night, finishing with 4 points (2/3 FG) and 4 rebounds in 8 minutes, giving the Tar Heels great effort and intensity when he was on the floor.

Being an old-school big man, defensive matchups can be challenging against more versatile players, but there's no doubt Huffman will play hard in the minutes he does get.

Around the ACC

Virginia has allowed a TOTAL of 68 points in two games, with opponents shooting 25 of 105 from the field. Yikes.

ACC teams aren't going to play many road games out of conference.

Markell Johnson made his season debut on Sunday, handing out 10 assists in a win over Detroit.

John Calipari was a spectator at PNC Arena to see his son, Brad, take on the Wolfpack.

Wake Forest needed a late rally to top Columbia on Sunday. Not great!

Florida State is going to be really good, yet again.

ACC Viewing Guide

Tuesday
Central Arkansas (1-2) at No. 4 Duke (2-0), 7 p.m. (ACC Network)
Miami (0-1) at UCF (1-0), 9 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
The Hurricanes are one of three ACC teams to play true road games against non-Power Five opponents. A great thing for college hoops.

Wednesday
UNC Asheville (1-1) at Wake Forest (1-1), 7 p.m. (RSN)
Florida International (1-1) at N.C. State (1-1), 9 p.m. (RSN)

Friday
Georgia State (1-1) at No. 4 Duke, 7 p.m. (ACC Network)
Marshall (1-0) at Notre Dame (1-1), 7 p.m. (ACC Network Extra)
West Virginia (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-1), 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Good on the Panthers for working in a Power Five opponent in an otherwise-dreadful week of scheduling for the ACC.

Around the Nation

Just an awful story detailing the death of Zach Winston, the younger brother of Michigan State guard Cassius Winston.

Seton Hall will be without Myles Powell for a bit after the All-American sprained his ankle.

A cool feature on Kalin Bennett, the Kent State freshman who has overcome the challenges of autism to play college hoops.

Could James Wiseman and Memphis take down the NCAA?

Justin Ford | USA TODAY Sports

National Viewing Guide

Tuesday
No. 15. Oregon vs. No. 14 Memphis, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Will the Tigers give the NCAA the finger again and play James Wiseman? We can only hope.

Wednesday
No. 22 LSU  at No. 25 VCU, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)
No. 10 Villanova at No. 18 Ohio State, 7 p.m. (FS1)

Thursday
No. 1 Michigan State  at No. 12 Seton Hall (1-0), 8:30 p.m. (FS1)
This game takes a bit of a hit with Powell sidelined, but it's going to be awfully easy to pull for  Winston the rest of the way.

Meet a Mid-Major

Merrimack (1-1)

Welcome to Division I, Warriors!

In its second game after moving up, Merrimack went to Northwestern and beat the Big Ten program 71-61 on Friday night. 

Previously a member of the Division II Northeast 10, the Warriors made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances before reclassifying this season.

With five players averaging in double-figures scoring, Merrimack is projected by KenPom.com to go 9-9 in Northeast Conference play. Not bad for a program just getting started.