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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels vs Duke season finale preview

By Alec Lasley

Feb 9, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; The Cameron Crazies taunt North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) as he throws the ball in from the sidelines in the second half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; The Cameron Crazies taunt North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) as he throws the ball in from the sidelines in the second half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 22, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) reacts in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) reacts in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Impact Players

Duke: Freshman F; Jayson Tatum

One of the members of the top overall recruiting class for the Blue Devils, Tatum has proven to be the most valuable. Averaging 16.1 pts and 7.3 rebounds, Tatum is a matchup problem waiting to happen.

At 6-foot-8, Tatum has the ability to step out and knock down the three ball (36 percent) but also has the handles to drive by a bigger, slower defender.

In the first matchup, Tatum was the X-factor. Looking all out of sorts in the first half, he came to play in the second. Finishing with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, the game-changing play came on this dunk:

Up to that point, Tatum was non-existent. After, he took the game over.

North Carolina: Junior F; Theo Pinson

Theo has proven to be the best hybrid player in the ACC. He can do it all and for the most part, he has been the sparkplug the Tar Heels need.

Averaging 7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, Pinson is the best playmaker for the Heels.

In the previous matchup in Durham, Pinson had 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. When the Tar Heels are at their best, Pinson is in attack mode on both ends of the floor.

Come Saturday, he will play a crucial role in defending Tatum.

Though the big matchup is between Kennard and Justin Jackson, the Theo Pinson and Tatum matchup could prove to be the one that wins the game for their respective teams.

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