The losing streak continues to 4 games for the Tar Heels, kicking them out of the AP Polls completely

UNC By The Numbers For Each Player Against Virginia Tech 

Starters

R.J Davis - 36 MIN, 18 PTS, 4 REBS, 6-11 FG, 0-4 3PT, 6-7 FT

Caleb Love - 31 MIN, 18 PTS, 3 REBS, 5-10 FG, 2-5 3PT, 6-9 FT

Leaky Black - 25 MIN, 2 PTS, 2 BLKS, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT

Puff Johnson - 12 MIN, 0 PTS, 0-2 FG, 0-1 FT

Pete Nance - 37 MIN, 18 PTS, 10 REBS, 6-13 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-3 3PT, 5-6 FT 

Bench 

Tyler Nickel - 25 MIN, 8 PTS, 2 REBS, 3-5 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-3 FT

Seth Trimble - 22 MIN, 6 PTS, 3 REBS, 3-3 FG

Dontrez Styles - 9 MIN, 0 PTS, 0-3 FG, 0-2 3PT

Justin Mckoy - 2 MIN, 2 PTS, 0-1 FG, 2-2 FT

Will Shaver - 1 MIN, 0 PTS, 0-0 FG

Injuries Hurt Carolina 

Following the game against Indiana, Armando Bacot, who injured his shoulder was in big question as to if he was going to play this game against the Hokies. Despite participating in warmups pre-game, Armando ended up not playing a single minute being unable to help out the Tar Heels snap their 3-game losing streak. 

It was extremely hurtful to see Bacot on the bench the entire game, knowing that if he were to be playing, the game would be a whole lot different than what it was. From getting more rebounds, offensive rebounds to be exact, more points in the paint, the list goes on and on from there. 

While this is the unfortunate part about being an athlete as injuries are bound to happen some way, somehow. What's best is that Armando begins to get the treatment he needs, rest, and do whatever possible to be in game action for UNC's upcoming games. 

On the other hand, D'Marco Dunn had occurred a broken bone in his left hand during a team practice the day before which will ultimately leave him out for several weeks as announced. Leaving Coach Davis a man down in his rotation, as Dunn was one of the first players called off the bench for the Tar Heels. 

Two big injuries for these key players, all there's left to do is rest up, heal up, and be productive on the court when healthy afterward. UNC needs every player to step up in some way to fulfill their championship aspirations this season.  

Assists As A Team Are Too Low 

Ball movement, ball movement, and ball movement are two words that you could say were not there at all for the most part in UNC's loss to Virginia Tech as they only had a total of 6 assists as a team through 40 minutes of game action. 

It's very very hard to watch the ball being stagnant in its movement between the team, not enough passes being swung around, and not enough teamwork being made as wanted, the chemistry by this squad just needs to become better overall. 

Luckily for the Heels, it is only 9 games in and there are plenty of games on the way so the chemistry will begin to pick up moving forward. Ball movement has been and will always be a staple of UNC basketball from season to season, that's what championship teams in the past have and that's what this squad needs. 

6 assists as a team aren't going to cut it at all, so there need to be changes made by Coach Hubert Davis whether that's who's playing the guard positions, finding new set plays in the half-court, or just simply passing drills in practice could all contribute to bettering this team's assist totals. 

Bench Production Was Much Better 

Dating back to last season in Coach Davis's first go-around as UNC's head man, one main area of concern was the production and usage off the bench during games. Though it wasn't until this game that we saw that, where both Seth Trimble and Tyler Nickel played extended minutes down the stretch trying to help UNC dig out an 18-point deficit they had at one point of the game. 

This could be the result of Armando Bacot being out for the game along with D'Marco Dunn, though nonetheless, it was a very happy sight to see that players from our bench contributed and gained game experience most importantly. 

Even though the outcome was a loss for Carolina it's very promising and reassuring that this could be something we're more likely to see moving forward this season.  

Long, Long, Long Road Trip Comes To An End 

Finally, the Tar Heels will be heading back home to Chapel Hill and getting the rest they need after traveling to Portland, Indiana, then Blacksburg. 

It's about time that the Heels rest up and practice what they need to work on to come out victorious against Georgia Tech. 

Practice, practice, and more practice are so key for the Heels right now as they extremely need it riding this 4-game losing streak they're on. 

UNC Drops Out Of The AP Polls 

The preseason number one ranked Tar Heels after the first four weeks of the season are completely out, becoming unranked. In a similar scenario for the Heels last season where they were unranked for the most part, not until beating Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium eventually entering back into the Top 25 teams. 

Please, please, please do not worry UNC fans as the rankings truly don't define a team and its success when it's all said and done. 

Just remind yourself about last season, when Carolina entered the 2022 NCCA Tournament as an eighth seed to then made it to the national championship. 

Finally Back At Home This Coming Saturday For The Heels 

At last, UNC is given the chance again to play in front of their home crowd at the Dean E. Smith Center this coming Saturday, December 10th. 

The game is going to start at 3:15 PM on ESPN, here we go folks, let's see if the guys in Carolina blue can finally put an end to this losing streak and get things back on track.