Through seven games, North Carolina (7-0) has looked every bit the part of a team in position for another NCAA title run. The Tar Heels won the Maui Invitational, beating Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, and Chaminade. On Wednesday, they'll get their first true road at No. 13 Indiana (4-1), an ACC-Big Ten Challenge game that should tell us a lot about where these teams stand.
Here is how you can watch the game on TV and online, along with key matchups and our Expert Picks.
Viewing information
TV: ESPN
Time: 9:15 p.m. ET
Location: Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Indiana
Streaming: WatchESPN.com or on the WatchESPN app
Breakdown
In the last season's NCAA Tournament, North Carolina knocked off Indiana 101-86 in the in the Sweet Sixteen. North Carolina has a new look after the departures of Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige, who combined for 41 points on March 25. Indiana, which is missing Yogi Ferrell, Troy Williams and Max Bielfeldt this time around, has been up-and-down. The Hoosiers beat Kansas 103-99 to highlight their early season, but a took a bad 71-68 overtime loss at Fort Wayne a week ago. North Carolina is getting strong point guard play from Joel Berry. It should be a high-scoring contest.
Odds
KenPom: UNC given 61 percent chance to win
Vegas Insider: UNC -4
Matchups to watch
North Carolina has the third-most efficient offense in the NCAA, averaging 119.2 points per 100 possessions according to KenPom. Indiana isn't far behind at 114.8. It will be a high-octane offense against a higher-octane offense.
The matchup that may be the difference is in the paint. North Carolina's most-used lineup features 6-foot-10 Kennedy Meeks, 6-9 forward Isaiah Hicks and 6-8 Justin Jackson. With 6-11 center Tony Bradley coming off the bench, Carolina can make you pay down low. It'll be up to Indiana's Thomas Bryant, one of Big Ten's most physical bigs, to challenge for the Heels inside. While North Carolina prefers to use its size advantage inside, their difference maker could come from the perimeter, where Joel Berry is connecting on 47.1 percent from 3-point range and leads the team in scoring (17.1 ppg).
Picks
Indiana is trending down, while North Carolina's stock is sky-high. I've always been told to buy low and sell high. But I'm throwing that theory out the window for this pick. Give me North Carolina straight up.