Keeping It Heel
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March Madness: 5 keys to a UNC victory over Notre Dame

By Blake Cockrum

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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Three-point shooting

Mar 11, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) shoots the ball over Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Steve Vasturia (32) in the first half during the semi-finals of the ACC Conference tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

As a team, Notre Dame shoots 37 percent from three-point range. They’ve got capable shooters in Demetrius Jackson, V.J. Beachem, Steve Vasturia and Matt Ryan.

When they’re shooting well from the perimeter, they’re able to spread a defense out and keep the defenders honest. That allows Zack Auguste to carve out more space down low and play one-on-one with his defender. When the defense goes to help on Auguste, it creates an opening for one of the shooters to get an open shot and knock it down.

The Tar Heels shot just over 32 percent from three-point range for the season, but have been shooting it well recently. Marcus Paige in particular has shot well from long-range in the NCAA Tournament, going 11-for-21 in the first three games.

If the Tar Heels shoot well from distance against the Irish, it could be a long game for coach Mike Brey and his team, given the Tar Heels sizeable advantage in the paint.

Advantage: Push

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