UNC vs. UCLA: TV Schedule, Live Stream and Battle 4 Atlantis 2014 Preview

Thursday will mark a pivotal matchup for both North Carolina and UCLA. However, the game doesn't have quite the same meaning for both programs.

Losses for the Tar Heels and Bruins on Wednesday means the Thanksgiving Day battle in Atlantis is in the consolation round. While both teams are still two of the best in the country, Thursday's game is in the loser's round after shocking upsets.

Not only will both teams be looking to rebound, but some of the top players hope to turn things around. Norman Powell and Marcus Paige were productive on Wednesday, but neither struggled more than fans have come to expect.

Before the two illustrious programs tip off in the Battle 4 Atlantis, here's a look at the game information and preview.

Game Information

Where: Imperial Arena, Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas

When: Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. ET

TV: AXS TV

Live Stream: GoHeels TV/Pac-12.com

Preview

One loss for both programs is already too much, but one will be departing from paradise with a pair.

That daunting idea is hard for each fanbase but might be even tougher to take for UNC. The Tar Heels came into the season heralded as one of the best teams in the country, but they were whittled down by a Butler team that is far from the power it was under Brad Stevens.

With as much talent as the Heels have on the court, Roy Williams put much of the blame on himself due to preparation. Williams spoke about the loss following the game, per Andrew Carter of The News & Observer:

"

We have wonderful kids and I did a poor job with them getting them ready to play with the aggressiveness that Butler played (with). Butler’s coaching staff did a much better job of getting them ready to play. ...

It’s a bad day today. I’m going to be ticked off all night until we start playing better. But they’ll get better.

"

One of the biggest issues for Carolina throughout the game was its inability to rebound. Butler, a team that ranks 216th in the nation in rebounding, hauled in 57 total rebounds, with 29 coming on the offensive end.

Carolina can't allow that issue to continue against an athletic UCLA team that features a powerful inside presence in Kevon Looney. Kennedy Meeks will likely be tasked with that duty, but Looney has outmuscled several opponents already this season.

Looney's rebounding ability was noted by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express and Doug Haller of AZCentral.com:

Having high-energy players down low will be crucial for both teams. The biggest component, however, will be the guard play on Thursday evening.

Bryce Alford, Steve Alford's son, has been one of the best floor generals all season with 20 points and 9.8 assists per game. However, Alford took a step back against Oklahoma, as he finished with just as many assists (two) as turnovers (two).

Sharing the backcourt is Norman Powell, the team's leading scorer, who never took a three-point shot and went just 4-of-10 from the floor. Part of the issue for Powell was getting into foul trouble early, as Zach Helfand of the Los Angeles Times notes:

If any player needs to rebound more than Powell, it's Paige, the ACC Preseason Player of the Year. The junior was able to finish with a season-high 18 points, but he started the game at 1-of-10 from the field and missed four free throws.

Both teams will need their guards to step up or they'll head home with two losses. With each looking to compete for a title in their respective conferences, that would be a tough pill to swallow this early in the season.

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