3 UNC basketball players the Kansas Jayhawks must keep in check in order to win

The Kansas basketball team played a tune-up game against Howard to open the 2024-25 regular season. It was a relatively easy game for Bill Self and the Jayhawks, but the first real test will come this Friday when the UNC Tar Heels make their way to the cathedral of college basketball.

UNC defeated Elon in its season opener, albeit in a final score that was too close for comfort. Hubert Davis' squad has a new identity this year after losing superstar center Armando Bacot to graduation. Only a few pieces remain from the 2021-22 team that Kansas defeated in the national title game.

Considering it's only game two, both teams are still searching for their identities. The No. 1 ranked Jayhawks have finally overcome the injury bug and should have no players absent from the highly anticipated blue-blood showdown. For those who are less familiar with UNC, a handful of players can do damage on both ends of the floor. Here are three Tar Heels who Kansas basketball must keep in check tomorrow:

3. Elliot Cadeau

Elliot Cadeau earned a spot in the starting lineup early in his freshman year and became a pivotal player for UNC. One of the best playmakers in the country, the standout point guard struggled offensively in his first collegiate season, averaging only 7.3 points and shooting an abysmal 18.9% from 3-point range. However, he scored 17 points and knocked down a couple of threes in the Tar Heels' opener, in addition to adding eight assists. If he continues on this trajectory, Cadeau could cause serious problems for KU's defense.

2. Jae'Lyn Withers

A fifth-year senior who formerly played at Louisville, Jae'Lyn Withers was nothing more than a rotational piece last year at UNC. He earned a spot in the starting five this season and was terrific in his first game, posting a double-double and knocking down three 3-pointers. The 6-foot-8 stretch forward is a physical and athletic player who impacts the game in many ways. Kansas must watch him closely on the perimeter or as a cutter.

1. RJ Davis

RJ Davis needs no introduction from us. He led the ACC in points per game last year and earned first team All-America honors. The senior guard scored 24 points against Elon and will continue to put up a lot of shots on Friday. If the Jayhawks' defense contains him to the best of their ability, Kansas has a very good shot to come out victorious.