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

By Brandon Griffin

Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) shouts after a teammate scored a basket in the final minutes of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena. Kentucky won the game 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) shouts after a teammate scored a basket in the final minutes of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena. Kentucky won the game 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Three Questions

Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) drives in to the defense of North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) during a game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) drives in to the defense of North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) during a game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

How do the Tar Heels respond?

This is a fair question after the emotions and energy it took to come back and take a lead in the best game of the season. Will Wednesday be enough time to recover?

The last time the Heels lost they followed it up with a 45 point home win over Radford. Will Northern Iowa face the same kind of fury?

Can the Panthers make it two years in a row?

If you dont remember last season the number one ranked Tar Heels went into Cedar Falls and walked out with their first loss of the season. The game was suppose to be to honor senior Marcus Paige, but Paige didn’t even play due to an injury.

The game was most remembered for the way the second half ended. With 17 minutes remaining the Tar Heels led by 16. The Panthers outscored Carolina 37-17 to end the game. Northern Iowa had four players score in double digits in the 71-67 upset.

There are two differences this season. One the game is in Chapel Hill. Two, 54 of those 71 points are not playing this season. Northern Iowa could still pull the upset, but this time UNC should be ready.

Luke Maye? Really?

Come on, you know you are asking the same question. After looking practically lost in Indiana, the sophomore forward has started to come on strong. Against Davidson and Kentucky he scored a combined 21 points and grabbed nine boards.

He also shot 3-5 from behind the arc and gave Carolina life in both games. If this continues he could be a key piece for a Tar Heels run late in March.

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