Sweet 16: Tar Heels vs Butler preview

Matchup to Watch

With Carolina’s ability to rebound the ball at a high percentage on the offensive end, Butler’s Tyler Wideman will have his hands full with Kennedy Meeks.

Wideman, a 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward, is their lone, traditional, big man who plays major minutes.

He is second on the team in rebounds (5.1) and leads the team in blocks (0.8).

Though he won’t torch anyone with his scoring ability, only five double-digit scoring games all year, his consistent scoring (7.4 ppg) gives the Bulldogs a big, down low, they can count on.

So far through two games in the NCAA Tournament, Wideman is averaging 4.5 points and 5 rebounds a game. One concern for Wideman though, is that he is already averaging 3.5 fouls a game against much smaller frontcourts that also don’t have the depth and talent that the Tar Heels have.

For Meeks, he is coming off of a 16 point and 11 rebound performance which included a big, go-ahead, put back to help guide the Tar Heels to their second round victory.

In two NCAA Tournament games, he is averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds a game, and 2.5 blocks.

His back-to-the- basket, pound it in, way of scoring racks up the fouls of opposing teams. With Butler’s lack of depth and size in the frontcourt, look for Meeks to dominate his matchup.