NCAA Tournament: UNC vs. Washington game preview, info, prediction and more
By Zack Pearson
UNC and Washington meet the in the Round of 32 in Columbus on Sunday with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line in the NCAA Tournament
After getting off to a slow start in their opening game against Iona in the first round, the North Carolina Tar Heels turned it on and cruised to a victory over the Gaels. But now the competition gets tougher and UNC can’t afford another slow start.
With a date in the Sweet 16 on the line, the Tar Heels will face off against the Washington Huskies in the Round of 32 in Columbus on Saturday as the NCAA tournament continues. The two teams met in the Round of 32 eight years ago with No. 2 UNC holding off No. 7 Washington 86-83.
Now the two teams matchup up on Sunday and UNC will see a zone defense similar to what they saw earlier in the year from Syracuse.
Washington will run its zone defense on Sunday with the goal to force tough three-pointers and limit the rebounding from UNC. The Tar Heels are one of the best rebounding teams in the country but Washington’s zone will be something to keep an eye on in this game. When the Huskies clamp down on the defensive end, they can slow teams down and play at their pace.
We all know that UNC loves to get into transition and beat you down the court, whether that’s on a missed shot or even a made shot. The Tar Heels want to play fast and want to make you play on the defense end for getting lazy.
But it might be a little tougher against Washington on Sunday.
The Huskies have one of the better perimeter defenders in 6-foot-5 guard Matisse Thybulle, who is lengthy and can make things difficult in that zone defense. Thybulle is arguably the best defender in the Pac-12 and showed it helping the Huskies win the regular season title.
Washington allowed jut 64.4 points per game this season, good for 30th in all of college basketball. Even while doing so, this UNC team will be the best team they have faced all season long.
The Tar Heels average 86.1 points per game, among the best in the nation and are one of the fastest teams in college basketball. Led by freshman Coby White, UNC will still continue to look to push the tempo.
The big key for UNC will be hitting shots. If they cant hit their open looks, they could be in trouble early on. Washington’s defense can be exposed and you will get quality looks but making them is another thing.
If UNC comes out slow again like they did against Iona, it will be even tougher to come back. But the Tar Heels are a No 1 seed for a reason and will enter this game as 11.5-point favorites. With how last season ended in the Round of 32, this team should come out motivated.
UNC Key to Victory
Don’t start slow. The Tar Heels need to avoid that slow start like they had against Iona in the first round and come out hot.
Start this game off right, make a statement and jump out to a lead. I want to see the Tar Heels run their offense and get into transition, not letting Washington set up the zone. A good way to beat that zone is to knock down your shots and not let a team set up that zone at all.
While their first-half struggles against Iona didn’t come back to bit them, Washington is a much better team and falling behind could be more problematic.
Washington Key to Victory
Dominate on defense. UNC has one of the best offenses in the country, so the Huskies are going to have to bring their A game on defense.
Washington will look to make life difficult vs. UNC when the Tar Heels have the ball and try to force them into bad looks. Keeping a team like UNC off balance and frustrating them would go a long way for a victory.
If the Huskies can come out and set the tone defensively, they can stay in this game and will have a legit shot. But if UNC can break that zone, then it could be a long day for Washington.
What you need to know
What? (9) Washington Huskies (27-8) vs (1) North Carolina Tar Heels (28-6)
When? Sunday, March 24. 2:40 p.m. EST
Where? Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
TV? CBS
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-Time series? North Carolina leads series 3-1
Prediction? UNC 73, Washington 63