Previewing UNC basketball's exhibition at Memphis

Previewing UNC basketball’s exhibition at Memphis

Posted by Admin October 15, 2024 Basketball

Oct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Ian Jackson (11) with the ball as forward James Brown (2) defends in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The official start of the UNC basketball season begins today with the team’s first exhibition game. On Saturday, it held the annual blue/white scrimmage which was the first time outside of practice that the team faced game-like action.

Now, instead of playing each other, the team will play together facing off against its first foe of the season in Memphis. This game will be a road game for UNC heading to FedEx Forum. This game will also be a charity benefit for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Hubert Davis spoke of what this game, although it doesn’t show up on the record books, means to his team:

I think it’ll be good for us. We’ve got 10 new guys on the team, including walk-ons, transfers, and freshmen. Obviously, competing against a great team and program of Memphis early in the season to prepare us and get us ready for the upcoming season, it’s something that is really beneficial to us. So, we’re really excited about the opportunity to do that.

Davis was also eager about the opportunity to play for a cause:

To serve St. Jude’s Hospital, it centers around pediatric cancers and diseases, (and) that’s dear to me with the experience of my mom passing away of cancer.

With the injury to RJ Davis in the blue/white scrimmage last weekend, I doubt we see him suit up, but we will get the opportunity to see the newcomers in Ian Jackson, Drake Powell, Ven-Allen Lubin, and Cade Tyson for the first time.

Tonight’s game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN U.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Previewing UNC basketball’s exhibition at Memphis