North Carolina will make it three in a row when it takes on Virginia Tech at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Tar Heels are on a winning streak, beating Syracuse on the road last Saturday and Louisville at home on Monday. With three games left in the regular season, North Carolina is still seeking a double bye in the ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels finished fifth in the league with a 10-5 record, tied with North Carolina State. The Wolfpack won the tiebreaker after winning the only meeting between the two teams this season.
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Virginia Tech, meanwhile, is 7-8 in ACC play and 18-10 overall. The Hokies are ranked 11th in the conference and are among the “lower four” in most NCAA tournament predictions. They’ve run out of chances, and that sense of urgency makes them a dangerous opponent for Carolina.
Here are three keys to North Carolina’s win.
Strike preemptively, strike hard, and show no mercy
February 23, 2026; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defender Seth Trimble (7) reacts after a second-half goal at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Carolina can’t ignore the Hokies. Virginia Tech is coached very well, with Mike Young known for his detailed game plans.
His team is more than capable of firing on all cylinders all night long and walking out of the Dean Dome with a win — but only if the Tar Heels cooperate. Even without Caleb Wilson, North Carolina is a better team and will have fans to support it. The Tar Heels need to land the first punch: hit the ball early, build a cushion and maintain pressure.
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Make your freebie
January 21, 2026; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) at the free throw line during the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The Tar Heels had to hit their free throws. North Carolina has shot 24-for-47 (51 percent) over its past two games.
Free throw shooting has been an issue all season, but UNC showed signs of improvement heading into its game against Syracuse, shooting 77 percent from the line in the two weeks from Jan. 31 to Feb. 17.
Even so, the Tar Heels currently have a winning percentage of 68% this season, ranking 319th nationally. If that trend doesn’t change, it could open the door for Virginia Tech to steal a college spot in Chapel Hill.
Make the Hokies uncomfortable
February 23, 2026; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Ryan Conwell (3) shoots a second-half shot at the Dean E. Smith Center while North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) and forward Zayden High (1) defend. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Virginia Tech almost never chooses to play at a breakneck pace, and there’s no reason to think that will change on Friday. The Hokies will try to bog down the game, shorten the possession and squeeze the clock out of the offense. North Carolina has to fight back, whether that means mixing up the defense, jumping passing lanes or turning every defensive rebound into an escape opportunity.
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No one expected the Tar Heels to drive around Charlotte Motor Speedway like a regular car. But if they can pull off a few quick bursts and pile up points quickly, that alone could be enough to throw the Hokies into defeat.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Keys to victory over Virginia Tech