CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina men’s basketball may have lost the majority of their starters from last year, but one familiar face is back for one final ride this 2024-2025 season.
RJ Davis and the Tar Heels (0-0) open the regular season against Elon (0-0) Monday night at the Smith Center. Tip off in Chapel Hill is scheduled for 9 p.m.
Davis, the star fifth-year super senior guard and reigning Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, has racked up preseason honors. He’s the favorite to repeat as player of the year for the ACC and also made the preseason AP All-America team. He and fellow guard Elliot Cadeau are the only returning starters from last season, when UNC won the ACC regular season title made it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
The Phoenix, from just down Interstate 40 in Burlington, and Tar Heels have faced each other 25 previous times, with UNC holding a 21-4 lead in the series all-time. Carolina has won the last 14 matchups against Elon of the Coastal Athletic Association, including the most recent contest in December 2021 in Chapel Hill.
UNC’s next game is an epic matchup between two of the most successful college basketball programs as the Tar Heels will travel to Allen Fieldhouse to face the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night.