Keeping It Heel
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Final Four: Top 5 impact players to watch

By Blake Cockrum

Mar 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) shoots a jump shot as West Virginia Mountaineers forward Devin Williams (41) defends in the second half during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. West Virginia won 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) shoots a jump shot as West Virginia Mountaineers forward Devin Williams (41) defends in the second half during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. West Virginia won 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brice Johnson, North Carolina

Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) shoots against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Brice Johnson modestly recorded 10 double-doubles in the first three years of his college career in Chapel Hill. That makes the 23 double-doubles that he’s had this season seem all the more impressive.

But comparison or not, it is impressive. After all, he broke a North Carolina record held for five decades by UNC great, Billy Cunningham.

Johnson has been the most dominant and consistent player for the Tar Heels, who swept the ACC regular season and tournament championship. It’s no slight to say that North Carolina wouldn’t have made it this far without Johnson.

Now, the consensus first-team All-American looks to lead North Carolina to its first national title since 2009.

The Tar Heels have shot better from long-range in recent weeks, but if they go cold, defenses will be able to sag down and provide help on Johnson and his front court mates. On the other hand, if Marcus Paige and company keep shooting like they have been, a party on Franklin Street may be in order.

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