Keeping It Heel
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next

Depth

Feb 20, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) is greeted by teammates as he leaves the court during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Dean E. Smith Center. North Carolina won 96-71. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) is greeted by teammates as he leaves the court during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Dean E. Smith Center. North Carolina won 96-71. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

North Carolina has eight players that average 15 or more minutes per game. Notre Dame has five such players.

It speaks to the depth of North Carolina’s bench when they are able to get productive minutes out of so many players, relying on their sixth, seventh and eighth players to keep up the pace when their starters need a break.

Again, the Tar Heels hold a noticeable advantage when it comes to the depth of their bench. They have so many quality players that can come off the bench and provide a spark of energy when the starters are fatigued or in foul trouble. And the drop off in talent is marginal.

When teams try to outlast the Tar Heels, they typically fail. Notre Dame simply won’t be able to keep up with the deep and talented Tar Heels.

Advantage: North Carolina

Home/UNC Basketball