The University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels are set to resume conference play on the road as they face off against the Pittsburgh Panthers. This will be UNC's first true road game of the season, marking the beginning of a challenging stretch of three consecutive away games.

UNC head coach Hubert Davis downplayed the significance of playing in someone else's gym, stating that the basket is still the same regardless of the venue. The Tar Heels, motivated by their hunger for victory, look to avenge their losses against Pitt last season and secure a crucial win.

Having ended their non-conference schedule with an impressive 105-60 victory over Charleston Southern, UNC enters ACC league play with a solid 9-3 record in their non-conference matches. Notably, they achieved wins against ranked opponents such as Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. According to Ken Pomeroy's college basketball database, UNC had one of the toughest non-conference schedules among power conference teams.

As they restart their ACC campaign, the Tar Heels will face three consecutive Quad 1 opponents. Pitt, Clemson, and NC State are all ranked among the top 75 teams in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings. These matchups present crucial opportunities for UNC to prove their mettle in conference play.

In their recent game against Charleston Southern, the Tar Heels showcased increased bench production with a notable contribution of 43 points from their reserves. Jalen Washington led the way with a career-best 17 points, while Seth Trimble matched his career-high of 12 points. This improved bench performance has been a positive development for UNC and a valuable asset moving forward.

On the other side of the court, the Pittsburgh Panthers, led by coach Jeff Capel, have had a solid start to the season with a 9-4 record. However, they are still searching for their first conference win after two losses against ACC opponents. The Panthers' defensive strength and high rebounding rate have been notable, as they currently sit atop the conference in rebounding margin and rank second in opponent points per game and field goal percentage.

The Panthers' offensive firepower is led by Blake Hinson, a preseason second-team All-ACC honoree. Hinson is averaging 19.5 points per game and has been an efficient 3-point shooter, connecting on 43.8% of his attempts. Carlton Carrington, a talented freshman guard, has also made a name for himself with a notable triple-double performance in the season opener.

UNC leads the all-time series against Pitt 15-8, but the Panthers have dominated recent meetings, winning five out of the last six matchups. Last season, Pitt swept the regular-season series by a combined three points, inflicting heartbreaking defeats on the Tar Heels.

Tuesday night's game will be an important opportunity for UNC to reverse their fortunes against Pitt and secure a crucial conference victory. Both teams will aim to showcase their skills and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the ACC.