Keeping It Heel
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NCAA Tournament: Breaking down the Midwest Region for UNC Basketball

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 09: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Dean Smith Center on March 09, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 09: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Dean Smith Center on March 09, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 09: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Dean Smith Center on March 09, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 09: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Dean Smith Center on March 09, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Players to watch in the Region

Coby White (UNC)

UNC fans know all about the freshman phenom who has started all but one game for the Tar Heels this season. Now it’s time for White to introduce himself to the national stage with a good showing in the NCAA Tournament. White is the perfect point guard to run Roy Williams’ offense and he could be the difference maker for UNC.

Matisse Thybulle (Washington)

As a guard, Thybulle is one of the best defensive players in the country and has a chance to make his impact felt on this tournament. Thybulle finished the year with 100 steals and 70 blocks, an impressive feat for a guard nonetheless.

Dedric Lawson (Kansas)

The forward is KU’s best player this season, despite the program being in a down year. At 6-foot-9, Lawson is a legit scorer from all over the court and has been a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. If Lawson gets hot he could carry the Jayhawks this tournament.

Fletcher Magee (Wofford)

Magee is the best pure shooter in this region and possibly the entire tournament. He can light it up from behind the three-point line and might be able to carry the Terriers. Magee needs three more three-pointers to break the all-time record.

Cam Johnson (UNC)

Johnson has been fantastic for the Tar Heels this season and is one of the best shooters in the ACC. He’s averaging 16.9 points per game this season and is shooting 50 percent from the field for the Tar Heels.

PJ Washington (Kentucky)

The sophomore decided to return for another season and now has the Wildcats in a position to make a run at a national title. Washington is averaging 14. 8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for Kentucky this season.

Vasa Pusica (Northeastern)

If Northeastern wants to pull off an early upset, Pusica could be the guy that propels them into the round of 32. He’s a very good three-point shooter, shooting 40.1 percent on the season. Pusica is averaging 17.8 points per game and could be the difference maker.

Sam Merrill (Utah State)

Merrill was one of the best players in the Mountain West, taking home Player of the Year honors in the conference. The junior guard averages 21.2 points and 4.5 assists per game and is a difficult matchup on the perimeter.

Tyler Herro (Kentucky)

The 2019 SEC Newcomer of the year, Herro has played a big role for the Wildcats this season and improved his draft stock along the way. While Washington might be the big reason why Kentucky is one of the favorites, Herro could be a deciding factor.

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