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UNC's Tyler Zeller (44), John Henson (31) and Dexter Strickland (1) anticipate teammate Patrick Crouch's free throw to break the century mark late in the second half against Monmouth.
Tar Heels seek energy boost
Approaching their ACC opener today at the Smith Center against the Eagles (5-9), North Carolina players have emphasized the need to increase their intensity and focus. Still, UNC (13-2) probably won't be tested too much more today than it was in dominant recent victories against Monmouth, Elon and Nicholls. Boston College is struggling, and the Eagles are coming off an embarrassing defeat against Rhode Island, which was 2-12 heading into its Jan. 2 game at Boston College.
Through games played through Jan. 1, UNC ranked first in the nation in scoring, with an average of 88.1 points per game. The Eagles, meanwhile, ranked 300th in scoring (61 ppg). The Eagles also are one of the worst shooting teams in the nation and had made just 40.9 percent of their shots entering the new year.
The matchup against the overmatched Eagles does offer a chance for the Tar Heels to get better. The Heels are likely to ratchet up the defensive pressure in order to force turnovers that they hope will lead to easy baskets. Boston College's 7-foot center Dennis Clifford also should provide a challenge inside for UNC forwards John Henson and Tyler Zeller.
