A rivalry steeped in history, fueled by passion, and now intensified by desperation. As UNC looks to tighten its grip on the Atlantic Coast Conference, NC State is scrambling to salvage its NCAA season. Can Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels push Kevin Keatts further into the fire? But wait, UNC hasn’t exactly been flawless either. They only have three wins in their last six games. But unlike NC State, they’re still in the ACC mix, sitting at 6th seed with everything to play for. But how have they been so far?

Their previous game win against Syracuse showed that the Tar Heels are in contention to do something special under Hubert Davis this season. North Carolina State has been a largely inconsistent side with underwhelming performances throughout this season. Despite a poor record, the Wolfpack managed to scrape off a win against Boston College on Sunday. Even though Jayden Taylor has bailed NC State out against Boston College, the Tar Heels are a different beast. If the Wolfpack wants an upset, they’ll need more than just a single-game spark.

The UNC vs. NC State game will be played at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Fans can tune into the game from 7 PM EST. While both teams gear up for battle, their success may hinge on who’s available and who’s sidelined. Are injuries going to play a decisive role? Let’s look.

Are there any woes for both teams?

For once, injuries aren’t the headline, but that doesn’t mean they’re irrelevant. NC State’s Mike James continues to remain doubtful with a knee issue, leaving the Wolfpack without a key scorer. James, who dropped double digits in 22 of his 32 games in his sophomore year, has been sorely missed this season. Without him, NC State’s offense takes a hit just when they need firepower the most.

UNC, on the other hand, walks into this game at full strength. Hubert Davis has no excuses, and he’s likely rolling out his best lineup in a must-win ACC battle. A fully healthy Tar Heels squad in front of a roaring Chapel Hill crowd? That’s a nightmare scenario for the struggling Wolfpack.

Starting Lineup:

NC State: Ben Middlebrooks, Jayden Taylor, Marcus Hill, Michael O’Connell, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield.

UNC: Jae’Lyn Withers, Ian Jackson, RJ Davis, Jalen Washington, Elliot Cadeau.

Even though Davis has talent at his disposal, inconsistency has haunted his team all season. North Carolina Tar Heels are placed as the 6th seed in the ACC with an overall record of 15-11 and a conference record of 8-6. In their last game against an off-form Syracuse, the Tar Heels let the game get too close for their liking.

In the first half, Hubert Davis’ men lead the scoreline by 42-34. With a first-half lead, the visiting team got too comfortable, for which they eventually paid the price as Syracuse brought their top game into the remaining 20 minutes of the game. But UNC held their nerves till the end, resulting in an 88-82 win. Seth Trimble was the highlight in the defense with eight rebounds, while Ian Jackson ran the offensive show, capitulating 23 points in 29 minutes. UNC needs to pull their socks up on Thursday.

But to their advantage, they are facing a 16th-seed side in the form of NC State. The home team is coming into this game after a 70-62 win against Boston College. NC State Wolfpack took a hefty lead of 44-29 in the first half, effectively shutting down any comeback of the Eagles. A small comeback from the Eagles in the second half didn’t mean much, as the Wolfpack won by 70-62.

Jayden Taylor put on a show with 19 points in 37 minutes of action, while Brandon Huntley-Hatfield made an instant impact from the bench, scoring 11 points in 12 minutes. But the win must not create any illusions, as the Wolfpack have been largely struggling this season. For UNC, it’s about securing a top ACC spot. For NC State, it’s about survival. The question is, who wants it more?