Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Highlanders vs. Tar Heels game preview

By Brandon Griffin

Nov 30, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels coach Roy Williams coaches on the sidelines against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels coach Roy Williams coaches on the sidelines against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Three Questions

Nov 30, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Curtis Jones (0) shoots the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) defends during the first half at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Curtis Jones (0) shoots the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) defends during the first half at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

How will either team rebound?

This is meant figuratively for the Tar Heels and literally for the Highlanders. UNC is coming off it’s first loss of the season. They had three starters fail to reach double digits, didn’t win the rebound battle for the first time this season, and committed 21 personal fouls and 12 turnovers.

How they respond to that loss will say a lot about how good this team can be.

Radford meanwhile will find it difficult to rebound with the Tar Heels. The Highlands rank 136th in the nation at just 37.9 boards per game. Carolina is currently 6th in the nation.

Radford also has a height issue. Their two tallest players are just 6-foot-8. The Tar Heels have five such players, three of which start.

Will either team pull a Hack-a-Shaq?

Neither team is exactly been stellar from the line this season. Radford has made just 66 percent of their free throws this season. The Tar Heels meanwhile have looked a little better hitting 72.5 percent of theirs.

Radford’s weakest link is “Big Man” is Randy Phillips who is 8 for 22 from the stripe for a meager .364 average. No regular for the Tar Heels is shooting worst than 58 percent. However, against the Hoosiers the Heels shot just 13-22 for 59 percent. Doesn’t matter whether at home or the road, no team gets guarded from the charity stripe.

Can Luke Maye look respectable?

There were many things to take away from the Indiana game. One of those things was that Luke Maye was not ready.

Often out of position and too timid to make quick moves, Maye cost the Heels big points early on. Due to foul trouble he played far more than any true Tar Heel fan was comfortable with. Radford will be a much better round into shape game.

Can the sophomore big look worthy of minutes this time around?

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