Preview: Three keys for UNC men's basketball to avoid third-straight loss to Alabama

The Tar Heels have a lot to figure out. 

Fresh off the Maui Invitational — where No. 20 North Carolina lost two of its three games — UNC's weaknesses are out in the open. In their two losses against No. 2 Auburn and an unranked Michigan State team, the Tar Heels were out rebounded against both teams. 

"I've gotten a clear picture of what this team can do really well and what kind of things we got to continue to work on," head coach Hubert Davis said. 

The Tar Heels will look to rebound on Wednesday when they take on No. 10 Alabama, who knocked UNC out of the NCAA tournament last year in the Sweet 16. Here are three keys for North Carolina to consider while facing the Crimson Tide to avoid a third straight loss:

Figure out the frontcourt

Reestablishing the frontcourt was the one of the main topics surrounding the preseason. 

After losing center Armando Bacot and forward Harrison Ingram, UNC has turned to junior Jalen Washington and senior Jae'Lyn Withers with junior forward Ven-Allen Lubin and first-year forward Drake Powell adding depth off the bench. 

And through seven games, North Carolina has allowed 50 points in the paint twice against Kansas and Michigan State. For reference, the Tar Heels only allowed 50 points in the paint twice over the last two seasons. UNC's offensive rebounding is under 30 percent for the first time since former head coach Matt Doherty's last season from 2002-03. 

"In the three games in Maui, teams were averaging 90 points per game," Davis said. "That's not good for us. That's not where we want to be. Rebounding the basketball in the three games in Maui, we were minus four. That's definitely not where we need to be. We gotta do a better job of getting to the offensive glass."

Although there isn't a magical way to "fix" the frontcourt or replace last season's duo, the Tar Heels will need to accept their identity and find solutions that work. And whether that comes from tinkering with the starting lineup or playing a more small ball lineup, Davis has to figure that out quickly. 

Still, Alabama is facing the same issue with center Clifford Omoruyi — who Davis targeted in the portal this summer — working to find his rhythm, averaging only 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds. But the Tar Heels will also have to contain 6-foot-11 Grant Nelson and the 6-foot-11 substitute Jarin Stevenson. Nelson recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks against UNC last year. 

Take care of the ball 

The Tar Heels have recorded double-digit turnovers in their last three games. 

UNC entered Maui leading the country in fewest turnovers per game, but then accumulated 36 across three days. Still, North Carolina is fourth in the nation in turnover percentage, per KenPom. 

"We've talked about a number of things from an offensive standpoint," Davis said. "As I said, from an offensive standpoint, limiting our turnovers, making the easy play and getting back to taking care of the basketball."

Turnovers have also plagued the Crimson Tide. Alabama ranks 136th in the nation in turnover percentage, recording a season-high 20 turnovers against Rutgers earlier this season. 

If UNC cleans up its own ball handling, the team can capitalize on Alabama's mistakes to get back in the win column.

Rematch for RJ Davis

After leading the Tar Heels to the Sweet 16, then-senior guard RJ Davis went cold against the Crimson Tide in the NCAA tournament. 

The All-American went 4-20 from the field and 0-9 from behind the arc. Although there have been flashes of what people saw from Davis last year, including a 30 point performance in a historic comeback against Dayton, the fifth-year is seemingly in a slump.

Davis is just 14-51 from the 3-point line. Although he's recorded double figure outings all season, the guard isn't producing as efficiently. 

But with uncertainty surrounding the frontcourt and a strong Crimson Tide lineup, the Tar Heels will likely need another Dayton-like performance from Davis to stay undefeated at home. 

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