NCAA Tournament Game Thread: Kentucky vs North Carolina in Elite Eight

Thanks for joining us for the Kentucky Wildcats’ Elite Eight game against the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Cats are certainly in for a battle as they rematch the Heels after beating them 103-100 back in December. A trip to the Final Four is on the line for two legendary coaches and two legendary programs. Let’s hope round two is just as good as round one was between these two.

Feel free to discuss this evening’s game and all that goes on in this thread.

Be sure to also check out these other posts before and during today’s game.

Know Your Enemy: North Carolina Tar Heels

Brad Martinez’ biggest concern with North Carolina is their inside game:

The one concern I have about this team is in the paint. The Tar Heels are a great rebounding team, and they have an eye opening rebounding margin of 13.1 boards a game. Kentucky actually beat the Tar Heels in this stat in Las Vegas 39-35 and will need a similar effort. The Tar Heels block just 3.2 shots a game compared to Kentucky who has 5.4

Kentucky vs. North Carolina: One-and-Done vs. Experience

Myron Medcalf asks and answers the same question that writers have exhausted every year: does the one-and-done work? Considering Calipari has reached four Final Fours, won a national title, and only missed the tournament once since coming to Kentucky, I think it works.

This game will feature 11 McDonald’s All-Americans

Isaiah Briscoe, De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Sacha Killeya-Jones, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Hicks, Kennedy Meeks, Joel Berry, Justin Jackson, Theo Pinson and Tony Bradley are all McDonald’s All-Americans. There will be a heavy display of elite college talent on the floor.

Let’s hope Anthony Davis’ bracket stays perfect for another day!