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    • UNC basketball vs Dayton: Score prediction, scouting report
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    UNC basketball vs Dayton: Score prediction, scouting report

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    UNC basketball’s pursuit of a fifth championship at the Maui Invitational begins Monday (11:30 p.m., ESPN2) against Dayton at the Lahaina Civic Center in Hawaii.

    Coming off a double-digit win against previously undefeated Hawaii in Honolulu, the 10th-ranked Tar Heels (3-1) will look to defeat the undefeated Flyers (5-0) in the opening day nightcap in Lahaina.

    UNC is playing in the tournament for the eighth time and aims to tie rival Duke (5) for the most titles in the event’s history. Dayton won the Maui Invitational in 2003 and reached the title game in 2019.

    Where UNC needs to improve at Maui Invitational

    The Heels and Flyers meet for the fourth time and first time in fifteen seasons. Overall, UNC is 1-2 against Dayton, losing both games in a tournament setting.

    The winner of Monday’s match, the last of four quarterfinals that open the three-day Maui Invitational, will face No. 4 Auburn (3-0) or No. 3 Iowa State (2-0) in the semifinals on Tuesday. pm, ESPN).

    Here are some other things to know and a score prediction for the Tar Heels’ opening game of the Maui Invitational:

    UNC basketball history at Maui Invitational in Hawaii

    Paradise has handled the Tar Heels well. Overall, UNC has won 35 of 40 games in Hawaii, including an 18-3 record in Maui, and four Maui Invitational championships. After each of those titles (1999, 2004, 2008, 2016), UNC played in the Final Four and won the national championship in the last three of those seasons. As one of four top-10 teams competing in the 2024 edition, the Tar Heels have a tough task, but history is on the Heels’ side.

    Recovery remains top priority for Tar Heels’ Hubert Davis

    Rebounding. That will remain the Tar Heels’ top priority, something head coach Hubert Davis emphasizes after every game. In the win over Hawaii, UNC was outrebounded for the first time this season (40-27), allowing 15 offensive rebounds. The Tar Heels and Dayton are averaging 39 rebounds per game, but UNC is 159th in rebound margin (+3) through four games. The Heels need to be better at the plate, especially if they have their sights set on a title-winning run in Hawaii.

    UNC guards RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble get to the free throw line

    The Tar Heels are excellent at taking care of the ball and getting to the free throw line. UNC has attempted at least 30 free throws in three straight games, including 34 attempts against American and Hawaii on the season. Each of UNC’s top three guards – RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble – have attempted at least 20 free throws, knocking down at least 77% of their shots from the line. The Heels rank 14th nationally in free throw attempts per game (28.8) and fourth in free throw attempts per game (23.8). Led by its offensive guards, UNC needs this trend to continue against Dayton.

    Enoch Cheeks is a two-way weapon for veteran Dayton basketball

    Dayton guard Enoch Cheeks, one of the nation’s top two-way players, leads the Flyers in points (15.6), rebounds (8.2) and steals (3.3) per game. Cheeks ranks sixth nationally in steals per game, and UNC leads the nation with fewest turnovers per game (7.8). Dayton’s senior guard had 16 points and six steals in the Flyers’ win against Northwestern. Carolina’s experienced backcourt can’t get sloppy against Cheeks and the Flyers, who have the seventh-most experienced roster in the country.

    UNC vs. Dayton score prediction

    UNC 86, Dayton 75: The Tar Heels always seem to give their best in Hawaii. Dayton has the experienced players and pieces to push UNC, but the out-of-state team that was “First in Flight” will beat the Flyers.

    Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and NC State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Do you have questions about these teams? Send them to [email protected].

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