MVN - Most Valuable Network

A Sweet (16) Carolina Preview

The University of North Carolina men’s basketball team comes into the Sweet 16 as a heavy favorite and the hottest team in the tournament. In the tournament, the ‘Heels are averaging a whopping 110.5 ppg. The opening weekend’s average margin of victory: 35 points.

Wow.

The Washington State University men’s basketball team comes into the Sweet 16 as a decided underdog and with a reputation of somewhat inconsistent play. In the tournament, the Cougars are averaging a not-so-whopping 66 ppg. The opening weekend’s average margin of victory: 25.5 ppg.

Um… Wow. Huh?

So far in the tournament, the Tar Heels have absolutely pummeled opponents with deadly offensive efficiency. They have put up over 50 points in each half. The Cougars, well, they have simply ground opponents into dust on the defensive end. They have allowed 40.5 points per game.

Talk about your contrasting styles…

In my opinion, the greatest obstacle for Washington State is overcoming Carolina’s overwhelming homecourt advantage. The Tar Heels take a short bus ride to Charlotte while the Cougars fly across the country. Carolina won the ACC Tournament on this very court just two weeks ago. Played three games. All wins.

At least the Cougars can practice once before tip-off…

Washington State, to their credit, absolutely dismantled a high-scoring Notre Dame squad this past Saturday. And, being the expert that I am, I actually thought Winthrop stood a chance against WSU in the first round…

…And subsequently lost by 31 points.

Carolina will need to contain WSU’s senior 6′2″ leading scorer, Derrick Low, who, ironically, actually shoots a rather high percentage from beyond the arc at 39%. I’m guessing that Tar Heel defensive stopper Marcus Ginyard will draw this assignment, although the Cougars’ second-leading scorer is 6′6″ Kyle Weaver and presents a bit of a match-up problem for UNC’s other, smaller guards. So maybe Lawson draws Low.

Washington State shoots the three-ball extremely well. Its three highest scorers shoot a combined 40% from behind the arc. It appears that UNC has a major advantage inside. Of course, most experts (including this one) thought Notre Dame, with Big East Player of the Year Luke Harangody, did as well.

The ‘Heels have to dominate inside. Conversely, the Cougars have to rebound the basketball to limit extra Carolina possessions and negate the transition game.

Most importantly, WSU’s offense cannot afford to go in the tank for long periods of time. Carolina is too potent offensively.

There is the potential for a Carolina blowout. However, I personally think the Cougars keep it close, the game plays in the high 70’s the ‘Heels move on to the Elite 8 for a date with…

I say Louisville. Tennessee can play with anybody but I’ll take the Big East’s runner-up. The Cardinals are simply playing better basketball right now.

By the way, Carolina fans, I learned that Tyler Hansbrough just won the Adolph Rupp Award for Player of the Year. You know, since no one from Kentucky was good enough to challenge for it this year.

Incidentally, Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl won the Adolph Rupp Coach of the Year Award, known as the Rupp Cup– which I suppose is a whole lot better than winning Rupp’s cup.

 And I’m out.

Go ‘Heels. And good luck to the Cougars and their fans. It should be a well-played game.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 10:53 pm and is filed under Kyle Weaver, No. 1 Seed, ACC Tournament 2008, Sweet 16, Tar Heels, OVerall No. 1 Seed, 2008 NCAA Tournament, NCAA Second Round, Adolph Rupp Award, NC, Winthrop Eagles, East Region, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Bruce Pearl, Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Pre Game (Basketball), Team News (Basketball), UNC Basketball, Marcus Ginyard, Charlotte, Louisville Cardinals, Washington State Cougars, Tennessee Volunteers, Derrick Low, Luke Harangody, NCAA Tournament. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.