UNC Basketball vs. Wisconsin: Key matchups to watch

It’s tournament time! Even with COVID-19, both the programs and the NCAA have pulled it off, and the UNC basketball program will face off against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Round of 64.

The 8-seeded Tar Heels will head to Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana to play the 9-seeded Badgers.

Even though Carolina is favored, the matchup will be a tough one for the Heels, but in March we know how much momentum means. Wisconsin is coming into this game having lost 4 of their last 5 matchups, with the only win being a 75-74 win against a below-average Penn State team. That in contrast to the ACC Tournament semi-final run for Carolina after falling just short to Florida State.

Let’s look at the differences between the Heels and the Badgers: Wisconsin is older, with 6 of the 8 players making up their rotation being seniors, they make almost 9 three’s a game as opposed to Carolina who average only 5.6 3-pointers made per game, and they like to play slow half court-oriented basketball.

To come away with a victory the Tar Heels are going to have to control the three-ball and the pace of the game, both of these have been struggles for this Carolina team.

But not to worry, UNC Basketball will have some key matchup advantages that could prove to be the key to a win, lets look at some.