Preview: North Carolina Tar Heels at SMU Mustangs

ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — A marquee nonconference clash between two of the nation’s hottest teams is set for Saturday when the fourth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels visit the SMU Mustangs at Moody Coliseum.

The Tar Heels (13-1), riding a nine-game winning streak, will face a formidable test against the surging Mustangs (11-2), who have won four straight and are unbeaten at home this season. The matchup, organized by the Atlantic Coast Conference, pits two teams with legitimate postseason aspirations.

North Carolina’s success is anchored by forward Caleb Wilson, who has been dominant. The sophomore has scored at least 20 points in seven consecutive games, including a 20-point, 15-rebound performance in a narrow road win at Ohio State on Dec. 20. In the Tar Heels’ most recent outing, a 79-66 win over Florida State, Wilson posted 22 points and six assists.

SMU counters with its own star in guard BJ Edwards, who is coming off a historic triple-double. Edwards tallied 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 110-63 rout of Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 28. His playmaking will be crucial against North Carolina’s stout defense.

The Mustangs’ two losses came in true road games against LSU and Vanderbilt. Their most impressive win was a 93-80 overtime victory over Texas A&M on Dec. 7, a game in which Edwards dished out 11 assists.

North Carolina’s lone blemish is a 74-58 loss to Michigan State in late November. Since then, the Tar Heels have won by an average margin of 19.2 points, with only the Ohio State game decided by fewer than 10 points.

This game serves as a final high-profile tune-up before both teams dive deeper into their conference schedules. For SMU, it represents a prime opportunity to secure a program-defining victory and announce itself on the national stage. For North Carolina, it is a chance to solidify its top-five ranking with a challenging road win.

Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Moody Coliseum in Abilene.