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

By Brandon Griffin

Jan 3, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) drives to the basket while being defended by Clemson Tigers forward Donte Grantham (15) during the second half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Tar Heels won 89-86 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) drives to the basket while being defended by Clemson Tigers forward Donte Grantham (15) during the second half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Tar Heels won 89-86 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Impact Freshmen

Jan 3, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forwards Tony Bradley (5), Luke Maye (32), and Justin Jackson (44) react between plays during the first half against the Clemson Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forwards Tony Bradley (5), Luke Maye (32), and Justin Jackson (44) react between plays during the first half against the Clemson Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

NC State: C Omer Yurtseven

Yurtseven sat the first nine games of the season due to international play. Since coming on board though, the 7-footer from Turkey is averaging nine points and five rebounds in about 22 minutes per game.

UNC has lost three games this season when the opposing team had a legitimate big man.

Yurtseven is legitimate.

North Carolina: F Tony Bradley

Bradley did not do a lot with the 11 minutes he received against Clemson. The freshman big has not gotten a lot of time this season behind seniors Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks.

However, he will be needed against NC State.

The Wolfpack have legitimate size. In addition to Yurtseven, State has Abdul-Malik Abu and Beejay Anya. Both are upperclassmen and both are big bodies that can rebound. If Meeks struggles or Hicks gets fouls, Bradley will need to come up big for the Tar Heels to win.

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