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NCAA Tournament: UNC vs. UK Elite 8 game preview

By Brandon Griffin

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams reacts in the second half against the Butler Bulldogs during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams reacts in the second half against the Butler Bulldogs during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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The North Carolina Tar Heels and Kentucky Wildcats will meet in the Elite Eight in a rematch of one of the best games of the season. Will things play out differently this time around?

The South Region was clearly loaded.

After three rounds of games, the South Region will finally produce a champion in the Elite 8 on Sunday.

UNC got there by bullying Butler early and never looking back.

Justin Jackson and Joel Berry II combined for 50 points. About two hours later, Kentucky powered their way past UCLA. Not to be outdone, Malik Monk and DeAaron Fox combined for 60.

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In a rematch of one of the best games of the season, let’s look at some important questions that are surrounding this match-up.

What happened the first time these two teams met?

These two teams met on a neutral court in Las Vegas back in December. Malik Monk went for 47. Justin Jackson went for 34.

After trailing by eight halfway through the second half, the Tar Heels took a two point lead with 44 seconds left when Jackson made a layup and got fouled. Jackson missed the free throw and Berry missed the following jumper after the rebound.

Malik Monk went down and hit a three to give the Wildcats the lead with 19 seconds left and John Calipari begging him to drive to the basket. Hicks missed a jumper and Kenny Williams missed a three at the buzzer that would’ve sent it to overtime.

Final score: Kentucky 103 UNC 100.

Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Justin Jackson (44) looks to pass during a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Justin Jackson (44) looks to pass during a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Will things be different this time?

The biggest difference in this game is Theo Pinson is available.

When the teams met the first time Pinson was still on the sideline because of his injury.

Pinson is the Tar Heel’s best perimeter defender. Had he been available, it is reasonable to assume, Monk doesn’t score 47.

Berry was also playing his first game since missing two with an ankle injury. Berry looked good against Butler after looking shaky against Arkansas after suffering an ankle injury against Texas Southern.

Kentucky’s biggest advantage is their freshmen are a little older. Not light years but they have a few more big games under their belts now.

Who wins and why?

In 2011, an unranked North Carolina team beat a top 10 Kentucky team at home by two. It was Calipari’s second season in Lexington.

The two teams later met in the Elite 8 and Kentucky got their revenge winning by seven.

There is no reason history can’t repeat itself, this time with the Tar Heels getting revenge.

Plus, Kentucky was the more favorable matchup for the Tar Heels and Monk has been slumpish of late.

Final Score: Tar Heels 85, Kentucky 78. As I was leaving the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas back in December, I told Kentucky fans “You can have this one, we will take the one in March.” At the time I thought it would be the Final Four, the Elite 8 will do.

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