UNC Basketball: ACC Teams with Enough Offense to Outpace Tar Heels

Few basketball teams in the country possess the offensive firepower to keep up with North Carolina.

UNC is averaging an impressive 84.0 points per game this season, the third-highest in the nation. The only times the Tar Heels lost this season were when their offense went cold and they were held to under 72 points. If they’re hot, they’re nearly unstoppable.

Key word: nearly.

Here are three ACC teams capable of keeping up with North Carolina even when it’s at its best.

 

3. Virginia Tech (9-2)

Erick Green is kind of like a big deal.

The Hokies’ senior guard is leading the nation in points per game this season with an average of 25.4. As a team, they score 79.9 a game, which is 17th in the country.

Green isn’t a one-man army surrounded by role players, though. Jarell Eddie knows how to put the ball in the basket as well. He’s averaging 15.1 points per game and has scored over 20 points three times.

2. NC State (9-2)                                                                                   

The Wolfpack don’t boast go-to scorers like the other teams on this list. But on NC State, everyone scores and that’s why it’s the 15th-highest scoring squad in the country with 80.5 per game.

Five different players average in double figures, but if there’s an individual who’ll eventually become the clear cut No. 1 offensive option, it’s T.J. Warren. He only averages 13.5 now, but he’s had three 20-point efforts this season and he’s a freshman who’s still adjusting to college ball.

1. Duke (11-0)

Duke is the No. 1 team in the nation and isn’t undefeated solely because of its defense. It drops 80.4 points per game, which makes the Blue Devils the 16th highest scoring club in the country.

Mason Plumlee is their leading scorer with 19.3 points per game and Seth Curry, who averages 15.7, has had four 20-point performances this season.

If it weren’t for sportsmanship, though, the Dukies’ average would be significantly higher. They’ve scored at least 88 points five times this season. 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels