NCAA Tournament: Razorbacks vs. Tar Heels tournament game preview

The Tar Heels and Razorbacks both won their first round matchups setting up this second round battle. What do we need to know about this game?

The second round is here. After the Tar Heels thumped Texas Southern, they now have to prepare for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Arkansas advanced to the second round after a very questionable late call went their way against Seton Hall. The Razorbacks are now looking for their first sweet sixteen appearance since 1996.

The Razorbacks may be wondering if the NCAA has something against them. This is just the third time the team has made the NCAA Tournament since 2008.

Is Justin Jackson back?

I know this is a weird question for the reigning ACC player of the year, but it was one that concerned people going into this tournament. In the four games preceding this tournament, Jackson was a combined 20-of-60 from the field including only 7-for-31 from behind the arc.

UNC was 2-2 in those games.

Against Texas Southern, Jackson was 8-of-13 from the field including a smoldering 5-for-8 from downtown. His 21 points were also his first 20 point game since February 25th. Jackson also had seven rebounds, his most since he grabbed 10 against Syracuse in mid-January.

Whether Jackson is back or not is still debatable, Texas Southern wasn’t a 16 seed for nothing. However, it was definitely a good sign for Tar Heels fans everywhere for him to have such a great game.

Is Joel Berry II alright?

Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) reacts after being injured during the second half against the Texas Southern Tigers in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Alright, raise your hand if you had flashbacks to 2012 when Joel Berry II fell to the ground in pain?

I was listening to the radio and I could still see Kendall Marshall unable to dribble with his left hand.

Berry is the catalyst of this team. Justin Jackson may be the Player of the Year, but Berry is the MVP.

Anyone else remember how the game against Duke went when he sat with four fouls?

Yeah, it wasn’t good.

The good news is, Berry seems to be fine. Not only did he walk off the court, but he came back and played a little.

The Tar Heels may not have needed Berry to beat Texas Southern, but they will if they want to get to the next round.

Can UNC make it three in a row against Arkansas?

Five members of the team that UNC beat back in 2015 are still with the Razorbacks. Mike Anderson was in his fourth season with Arkansas that season. The Tar Heels only won that game by nine.

Revenge is probably on the mind of some.

Seton Hall was probably the better opponent for the Tar Heels. However, there are some things going their way. UNC has seven members of that team who are now Juniors and Seniors. They will remember how tough the team is and not take them for granted.

The Razorbacks are also not super strong on the boards. They average nearly seven rebounds less per game than the Tar Heels. That will work hugely in the Tar Heels favor.

Additionally, when other teams have tried to run with the Tar Heels it has not gone well for them. Arkansas likes to run, again to UNC’s favor.

The only issue will be if the game is close. The Razorbacks hit their free throws which gives them a slight advantage.

Prediction: UNC 93 Arkansas 81. The Tar Heels do what is needed and advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third straight season.

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