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

By Brandon Griffin

Feb 5, 2017; Greensboro, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seventh Woods (21) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward V.J. Beachem (3) battle for a loose ball during the first half at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Greensboro, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seventh Woods (21) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward V.J. Beachem (3) battle for a loose ball during the first half at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) and Pittsburgh Panthers forward Sheldon Jeter (21) fight for the ball in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Panthers 80-78 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) and Pittsburgh Panthers forward Sheldon Jeter (21) fight for the ball in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Panthers 80-78 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Three Questions

If Theo Pinson plays, how effective will he be?

Theo Pinson is practicing, and that’s great news. Some fans were worried he might not return this season. But once again, it looks like the Tar Heels will soon have their versatile wing back sooner rather than later.

UNC needs Pinson to be successful against teams like Duke. Imagine the Notre Dame and Pittsburgh games as warm ups. Like the Irish and Panthers, the Blue Devils really only play one true post player.

In lineups like this, Kennedy Meeks becomes a lot less effective. Against Notre Dame, the big man fouled out. Pinson allows the Tar Heels to play a smaller line-up that can match up with what Duke is doing.

The effectiveness of Pinson, if he returns, will go a long way to how long and often Roy Williams can turn to that line-up for the Tar Heels while keeping Kennedy Meeks off the floor.

Did Coach K return one game too soon?

Coach K made his return to the court Saturday after being out for a month due to back surgery. He came back to roaring fans and saw his team win big in the second half against Pitt. But did he come back one game too early?

Coach K is a game strategy master. One has to wonder how his return might have impacted this game. Can you imagine how crazy the “Cameron Crazies” would be for the rivalry and his return? If the Blue Devils win, it won’t matter. If the Tar Heels win, people might wonder if he came back one game too soon.

Will Grayson Allen try to trip anybody?

Come on, you knew this question had to be asked. Allen hasn’t had any real altercations since the Wake Forest game. He also has never tried to trip a North Carolina player. Will this be the game he breaks that streak? If Berry continuously beats him off the dribble, will he be able to control himself?

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