Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball Game Preview: Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina

By Horran Cameron

Feb 14, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) and forward Kennedy Meeks (3) and forward Theo Pinson (1) celebrate during the second half in game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Dean E. Smith Center. The Tar Heels won 85-64. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) and forward Kennedy Meeks (3) and forward Theo Pinson (1) celebrate during the second half in game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Dean E. Smith Center. The Tar Heels won 85-64. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNC will open up their ACC Tournament against Pittsburgh

Yesterday, the No. 8 seeded Pittsburgh Panthers (21-10, 9-9) defeated the Syracuse Orange 72-71. On Thursday Pittsburgh will face the No. 1 seeded and overall No. 7 North Carolina Tar Heels (25-6, 14-4) in the quarterfinals of the 2016 ACC Tournament.

Carolina has not played a game since they were victorious against Duke last weekend. The score of that win was 76-72. Brice Johnson willed the Tar Heels to victory behind his 18 points and 21 rebounds.

His least season at Carolina has been his best by far. Johnson was selected as a first-team all-ACC player and first-team USA Today all-American. Johnson could potentially up his draft stock for the NBA Draft in June.

In regards to Pittsburgh, Carolina needs to stick to their guns: get the ball to Brice. UNC’s front court is one of the best in the country, perhaps the best. Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, Joel James and Johnson have been impressive throughout the season.

Although Meeks’ performances has been dismal at times, there have been instances where he was the focal point of the offense (e.g. 23 points against N.C. State on January 16, 2016).

James has had a few games where he did a solid job backing up Meeks and Johnson (e.g. during Meeks’ missed games). Hicks won the 2016 ACC Sixth Man of the Year. His energy and toughness has complemented Johnson’s star-powered season.

Feb 14, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) and guard Joel Berry II (2) trap Pittsburgh Panthers forward Michael Young (2) during the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) and guard Joel Berry II (2) trap Pittsburgh Panthers forward Michael Young (2) during the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports /

On defense, Carolina should emulate what they did in the first matchup. Smother Pittsburgh’s ball-handlers and have a hand in every shooter’s face. Joel Berry’s leadership should not be overlooked this season.

His play against Pittsburgh was phenomenal. He does a lot things that do not show up in box scores. One of the things Berry does well is staying with his man.

Pittsburgh and Carolina faced each other once during the regular season. That game resulted in a Carolina beating Pitt 85-64. UNC had five players in double figures. Although Pitt out-rebounded UNC, Pitt committed 19 turnovers to UNC’s 11 turnovers. In addition, Carolina made 59.3% of their field goals while Pittsburgh shot 37.3% from the field.

Pittsburgh will be hungry and they will possibly attempt to trap Carolina’s ball-handlers or double-team Johnson. Carolina must not veer away from what works. Their bread-and-butter is their low post.

This year’s Tar Heel squad does not shoot well from the perimeter. Feeding the ball inside should be the way that Carolina sets the tempo offensively. This will open up the perimeter for wide open shots.

Johnson will continue his tear tomorrow. If Marcus Paige is not on, then Joel Berry II, Nate Britt and Justin Jackson will pick up the scoring slack from the perimeter. Today’s game will be no contest. Carolina will have an easy win and await the winner of Duke and Notre Dame.

WHAT? Pittsburgh Panthers @ North Carolina Tar Heels
WHEN? Thursday, March 10, 2016
TIME? 12:00 p.m. E.T.
WHERE? Washington, D.C., The Verizon Center
TV? ESPN and GoHeelsTV
RADIO? Tar Heel Sports Network
PREDICTION? UNC beats Duke, 77-73

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