Tagged: tyler zeller RSS

  • shwineka 4:19 pm on June 3, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Alabama, , Bob McAdoo, , , , , , , Gordon Hayward, , James McAdoo, , Justin Knox, , , , , , , , , , , , , tyler zeller, , ,   

    Catching up 

    Is it finally over? By that I mean the sick feeling in your stomach re: the most recent NCAA championship. Mine has finally subsided. So might as well cure the subsequent blogging hangover by getting back at it eh?

    What better way to get over a case of the “I-can’t-believe-Gordon-Hayward-missed-that-shot”s than by looking forward to next year. Now that the NBA draft deadline has passed, we know that Easy Ed will be leaving us for bigger and better things. Can’t really blame him. He’s a projected lottery pick depending on how the draft day moves go, and he stands to lose a lot of money by staying in college for another year with all that lockout business.

    So then there’s Harrison Barnes. The No. 1 recruit in the country is coming in with some highly touted classmates to add some more youth to what is already going to be a young team. But wait! Why not make it even younger?

    Over the past few days it’s come to light that James McAdoo, nephew of former Tar Heel and NBA Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo, and a Top 5 recruit in the class of 2011, might just pull an Andre Dawkins and come to UNC next year with Barnes and Co. Read this piece on SI.com and it will make you feel all warm and giddy inside. Here’s a throwback of ol’ Bob, sorry about the watermark. Only image I could find in a Heels uni.

    Well if you read that article, it’s made clear by James McAdoo’s father that James came up with the idea once the Wear twins transferred. That gave me some piece of mind. I was afraid that Roy might have been pulling a Coach K. As in last year when Dawkins came to Duke as a 17-year-old. I never read any stories on him – why woud I? – but after Elliot Williams transferred I was sure it was K figuring out some way to bolster his roster. Unfortunately whoever initiated the Dawkins early graduation talks, it worked out for them, but that’s beside the point.

    The other move I’m not sure we’ve covered here on the Rafters is the transfer of Justin Knox from Alabama. This should be a valuable pick-up. If he can put up his numbers from the SEC a year ago (6.3 pts., 3.7 rebs) that will be gravy. It’d be about equal to what two Wears were giving us, so even trade.

    I don’t think the McAdoo Move would alter the potential starting lineup for next season, nor will the Knox pickup.  At the beginning, I’m guessing Drew, Strickland, Graves, Henson, Zeller, with the expectation that Barnes will be starting by the ACC season.

    The transfers and early graduations would give us a very solid bench, however, with McAdoo and Knox spelling Henson and Zeller. Graves and Barnes wouldn’t be forced to play much post, and Reggie Bullock and Kendall Marshall will provide the guards with respite.

    Come to think of it, that would give the Heels exactly 10 players who would likely see minutes — one sub for each starter.

    And if they start playing anything like last year, that would come in handy when Roy needs to make one of his full line-up substitutions.

     

  • shwineka 12:02 pm on January 8, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , style, , , tyler zeller,   

    Which Carolina player has the best style? 

    When you’re wearing the same uniform as your 15 other teammates, the only way to distinguish yourself is through your shoes. So that poses the question, who has the best style on the team?

     

  • shwineka 3:51 pm on January 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , tyler zeller, , ,   

    Postgame: UNC – College of Charleston 

    (photo by N&O’s Robert Willet)

    I could sit here and rant about hustle and turnovers and defense. I could complain that UNC didn’t have two of its starters — and upperclassman starters at that. I could even blame it on Roy, saying he should have had them better prepared for the game.

    But that would be silly because he basically did that for me.

    Maybe it’s because it’s already the next day and I’ve had time to calm down, but I think this loss will help the Heels down the road. My advice to the Heels:

    Kill, baby, kill!

    How did I arrive at this conclusion?

    First an aside: Larry Drew’s comments after the game:

    “Yeah, we talked. We always talk. There’s something with this team – we’ve got to stop talking at a point, and start playing. We’ve got to start walking the talk. … I feel like I’ve heard everything — from the players, from the coaches. It’s getting to a point where we’ve just got to start doing what we say we’re going to do.”

    Coach Williams said this team was about as low as it could get right now. Do you agree with that?

    “Wouldn’t you? Yeah. I don’t think right now… We’ve just got to play better.”

    Is there something different going on during these road games?

    “We’ve just got to play better. That’s all it comes down to. I mean, I missed a ton of shots out there. We’ve just got to make shots and make stops. [We’ve] got to manage the game better – that’s on me.”

    It sounds to me like the team is feeling what the Tar Heel faithful have been feeling throughout these last few games. And frankly it’s just what LD said — they’ve got to play better.

    More than that, the team needs to mature into a full-blown killing machine.

    Young teams always have this problem. They manage to build a lead, then watch it slip away as they try to hold on until time expires. What Easy Ed, LD, Deon, Dex, Big Z, Will, JWatts, T. Wear, D. Wear, Marcus, Henson and Leslie McDonald need to do is go for the freaking throat. Don’t let up intensity just because you’ve got a lead. Hell, even the Dukies are beating people by 40.

    Rutgers closed it down to four near the end. In the team’s best wins this season (Ohio State and Michigan State) UNC has squandered double digit leads, even being up 17 in the second half to MSU before they brought it to single digits. We’re not going to talk about that OSU game, though Larry Drew that’s when I started to love you.

    So back to this loss being a good thing. All of those wins-that-could-have-easily-turned-to-losses have had us Heels fans on edge over the past several weeks. Before College of Charleston, it was easy to chalk up the “L”s to playing Top 5 talent. Now there’s no excuses. UNC needs to amp up for the conference schedule, and this loss might just be the kick in the ass they need. The potential that many saw at the beginning of the season is still there.

    They’ve just simply got to play meaner.

     

  • gonzologist 5:53 pm on December 29, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: 12.4, 16.5, 2.5, 2009, Aesthetics, , , , , , hyperdunk, , , , jordan 12 rising sun, , , , , , , , , , , , tyler zeller, , ,   

    It’s Got To Be The Shoes – UNC Men’s Basketball Team Shoes Pt. II 

    About a month and a half ago I ran a post on the shoes UNC basketball players had worn up to that point in the season. That was only through the first two games of the season, plus the exhibition game. In the time since, the Heels have rolled out a bevy of new styles and changed up their footwear choices.

    First off, a quick guide to the shoes that have been worn this season by at least one Tar Heel:

    Jumpman Hallowed Ground

    Jumpman Ol’ School III

    Jordan 16.5

    Jordan 2.5

    Jordan 2009

    Jordan 12

    Jordan 12.5

    Nike Hyperize

    Nike Hyperdunk

    Now the players:

    Larry Drew II: Larry has kept it simple and worn the Jordan 2.5 all season. The 2.5 was a big shoe last season and has carried over for Larry this season.

    Marcus Ginyard: I was surprised when Marcus broke the mold and went outside the Jordan or Jumpman brands and decided to wear the Nike Hyperize. The Hyperize is being worn by about every college team outfitted by Nike as it comes in a wide selection of colors, but the Carolina blue colorway has only been seen one other place to my knowledge.

    David Wear: I was not able to find photographic evidence of David’s shoes from the beginning of the season, but I am 95 percent sure it was the Jumpman Pro. David was one of the first, however, the wear the Jordan 16.5 during the Heels MSG outing. David continued wearing the 16.5 for several games, but during the last four has worn the Jordan Ol’ School III, including his first collegiate start against Marshall and last night’s game against Rutgers.

    Deon Thompson: So far, Deon has been rotating three shoes. He began the season in the Jumpman Pro, which was a holdover from last season although he did not wear it during the National Championship game[he wore the Jordan 2.5]. He then switched over to the Jumpman Hallowed Ground for games against Gardner-Webb, Nevada and Kentucky before wearing the Jumpman Ol’ School III at Cowboys Stadium against Texas. Deon reverted to the Jumpman Hallowed Ground for the Marshall game but then broke out the Jordan 16.5 last night.

    Ed Davis: Ed has swtiched his flavor up a couple times throughout the short season. In the exhibition and opener he was seen in the Jumpman Pro but brought out the Jordan 2009 for the bright lights at MSG. This seems to be a trend as for games against Kentucky and Texas, Easy Ed also wore the more flashy Jordan 2009s. I may be looking too far into the importance of the game and correlation of the shoe because the 2009 does have more blue in it which would go better with the away uniforms that the team has also worn for each of those games. For games with Presbyterian, Marshall and Rutgers, Ed was back in the Jumpman Pro. I thought Ed had worn the Jordan 16.5 before but I have no evidence of that.

    Dexter Strickland: Even though he is only a freshman, Dexter has not been shy to take advantage of the shoe situation. Early in the season Dexter was wearing the Jumpman Hallowed Ground but by Gardner-Webb was onto the Jordan 16.5. Following Marcus’ footsteps, Dexter bucked the trend hard and wore the Nike Hyperdunk in games against Nevada and Michigan State, further confusing at least me when the colorway was navy and white, not a bit of Carolina blue in it. At Kentucky he was back to the Jordan 16.5 before switching to the Jordan 12 “Rising Sun” colorway for games with Texas, Marshall and Rutgers. I think I remember someone calling that earlier this season.

    John Henson: Sticking with freshman, John Henson hasn’t had quite as much variety as his counterpart but did offer a surprise as of late. This whole season John has been sporting the Jumpman Hallowed Ground, which we have photos from NCCU and Texas, though I can promise he was wearing them throughout. For Marshall and last night’s Rutgers game he brought out the Nike Hyperize in the same colorway that Marcus wears.

    Will Graves: Mr. Graves stumped me with his shoe choice for the beginning of the season. Against FIU through Valpo, Will was wearing some member of the Jumpman or Jordan brand that I can’t figure out. Will and Ed must talk about their shoes because in the games that Ed has worn the 2009s – MSG, Kentucky, Texas - Will has also worn them. Again it may have something to do with the uniforms though. Otherwise, Will has somewhat settled on the Jumpman Hallowed Grounds as his go-to as he has worn them against Gardner-Webb, Marshall and Rutgers.

    Tyler Zeller: Tyler, who wore the Jumpman Pro for most of last year, has switched between the Jumpman Ol’ School III and Jordan 16.5 this season. Early in the season Z was sporting the Jumpman Ol’ School III, like he did here against FIU and NCCU. Otherwise from about Gardner-Webb onward he has been wearing the Jordan 16.5, including against Kentucky, Marshall and last night.

    Travis Wear: Travis was spotted sporting the Jumpman Ol’ School III in the exhibition against Belmont Abbey but has since switched to the Jumpman Pro which he’s worn in most game this season, including, NCCU, Gardner-Webb and Rutgers.

    Justin Watts: For most of this season Justin had been rocking the Jumpman Hallowed Ground. Last night against Rutgers, however, Justin was the first Tar Heel to wear the Jordan 12.5 out on the court. Nice change up.

    Leslie McDonald: All season Leslie has worn the Jumpman Ol’  School. Here he is against NCCU, Presbyterian, Texas,  Marshall and Rutgers. Here he is doing the Danny Green in pregame.

    Marc Campbell: When Campbell has been in the game he’s been seen in the Jordan 2.5.

    Terrence Petree: Last but not least, Mr. Petree who was spotted in the Jumpman Pro.

    Check out the whole gallery here.

     

    • lulu 3:56 pm on December 30, 2009 Permalink

      unbelievable info. thanks– I’ll be watching for any changes in their footwear.

  • shwineka 11:54 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , Buffalo Billiards, , , , , Dean Smith Center, , , , , , , , , , , , , tyler zeller, , ,   

    Deja Vu: UNC Handles Michigan State 

    UNC 89, MSU 82

    Box Score

    It’s becoming a common thing. UNC plays Michigan State. UNC wins.

    The Heels have taken their last five meetings with the Spartans, and these aren’t just in the Big 10-ACC Challenge games. I recall an April day in 2005. A hot Spartan team was in the Final Four making some noise and ready to take down the No. 1-seeded Tar Heels. Or wait was that 2009?

    Anyway, for all the things that Tom Izzo does well, he can’t seem to figure out his Carolina conundrum. And honestly, who didn’t think Tuesday was going to be his night?

    A completely different UNC team showed up in the Smith Center than I’ve seen this year. The froshs and sophs played like upperclassmen right from the tip-off, with UNC jumping out to an early lead. It had to feel sickening for MSU fans, a horrible case of deja vu. Us DC-based Rafters bloggers sat with a decent contingent of UNC fans at Buffalo Billiards. A great idea emerged. Anyone not privileged enough to live in Chapel Hill, like our esteemed colleague Benn, should tweet us to meet up in the DC area for game viewings. We like to go out. If we go out anyway, we’ll make sure to say where we’re going.

    Hey, we might even put your picture on the internets.

    Before I get all hot and bothered thinking about tweet ups:

    Takeaways:

    • The recruiting class of 2008 came out of its shell. LD and Easy Ed both notched career highs in points (18 and 22 respectively). LD hit some clutch shots and had a 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio in 27 minutes. Davis was his normal smooth self. You must watch this guy on Ustream sometime. Just follow him on twitter and he’ll notify when he’s getting on. If you want to know why we love him so much that will tell you everything.
    • If there’s only 5 seconds left in a half, who gets the rock? Answer: Dexter Strickland. Strickland hit his second buzzer beater of the year at the end of the first half, sinking a trey.
    • Will Graves is a starter, but he logs bench minutes. He’s getting about the same run time as Strickland, John Henson and Tyler Zeller. Gut tells me that once Roy is more comfortable with Henson or Strickland they’ll get the start. (And after last night I gotta be leaning towards Strickland)
    • Back to Dex. Strickland had zero turnovers while logging some significant minutes at point. And as Luke Winn reminds us, he is a converted shooting guard. Got to be happy with that.
    • Are the Wears twins? …………or clones? Travis – 2 pts, 3 rebs in 6 minutes; David – 2 pts, 2 rebs in 7 minutes

    Superlatives

    • Players of the Game: Larry Drew and Ed Davis -  see above
    • Lookin’ Fierce Award: Roy Williams
    • John Henson, if there was an award for throwing the ball between your legs to save it from going out, we’d give it to you. I don’t think even the Rafters has an award for that.
     

    • Zach Evans 12:46 pm on December 3, 2009 Permalink

      With all due respect to Henson, maybe the award should be the “Don’t Save the Ball Underneath the Other Basket” Award. As impressive as it looked, it did lead to an easy MSU basket.

      I guess I’m just never satisfied.

  • shwineka 5:51 pm on December 1, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: A Legacy Fulfilled, , , , , , , Durham Herald Sun, , , High Five, , , , , Spartans, , tyler zeller, ,   

    UNC Takes on Michigan State in ACC-Big 10 Challenge 

    (pic from Edthesportsfan.com)

    Tonight begins what could be the toughest two weeks of the Tar Heels’ season. The defending champs are taking on the team they ousted for the title just eight months ago. The headlines back on that glorious April day: “A Legacy Fulfilled” – DTH and “High Five” – Durham Herald Sun, among others.

    The headlines might be a little different tomorrow as the Spartans are the favorites favored about equally tonight, but the test could prove to be a turning point for the Heels. Win or lose, I can’t see the impact of tonight’s result being negative. A win could start a wave of confidence that helps the Heels plow through December. A loss would identify the main weaknesses in a young team, preparing them for their other Top 10 match-ups this month and getting them ready for the ACC season.

    Some think we’ll win, others think we’ll lose. (No link for the lose crowd. After all, who actually picks the Heels to lose?)

    BTW that was the first time I’ve ever used the term “we” when talking about Carolina on this blog. I’ve tried staying away from it, but c’mon. You know you say it, too.

    Here’s a Rafters-worthy prediction:

    The Heels bigs hassle the tiny Spartans side-to-side and up and down the court. MSU shoots a horrible percentage while Big Z, Easy Ed and damn-he-needs-a-sweet-nickname Deon Thompson corral the boards and teasingly hold the ball above their heads. John Henson, who is also in need of a sick nombre, will have a breakout game and play 20 minutes, scoring 20 points. LD will teach Kalin Lucas to respect the wood — as Lucas will be on the floor after his ankles get broken so many times — and UNC will win by 15.

     

  • shwineka 12:29 am on November 30, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Bill Lumbergh, , , , , Mike Gminski, , , , , tyler zeller,   

    Wrap-up: UNC survives Nevada 

    UNC 80, Nevada 73

    Box Score

    This game could be categorized as “character building.” Carolina came in with what we’ll call a turkey-day hangover, plodding through the first three quarters of the game. (The much smaller Nevada Wolfpack ended up only losing the rebounding battle by three, 45-42.) The defense was sluggish at best as Nevada shot 43 percent from the field in the first half. But when the game came down to the wire, with about five minutes left and Nevada down two, the Heels suddenly had a resurgence of confidence. And while the game would never get much more separation than five or six points, UNC seemed to carry itself with a bit more swagger and squashed Nevada’s upset bid.

    Oh yeah, and Roy Williams got his 600th career win as a head coach.

    Roy has the highest win percentage of any active coach and is already in the hall of fame. It was actually funny watching him receive an award for his 600th win on TV. After his recent shoulder surgery, you could tell he really just wanted to get the frick out of there and find an ice pack.

    Takeaways:

    • Tyler Zeller didn’t take a charge this game. What gives Big Z?
    • Four players played 30 or more minutes. It looks as if Roy is starting to tighten up the rotation. Look for a future post on the depth chart.
    • Larry Drew – 10 assists and one turnover. Um……hell yes.
    • Eight team turnovers: huge improvement. Keeping this in the single digits will take the team far. Though as is evidenced by LD’s stat line, the TOs aren’t coming from the point, but from errant passes by the post and wing players.

    Superlatives:

    • Player of the Game: Ed Davis – (16 pts, 15 rebs, 2 asts, 3 blocks, 1 stl) Ed really showed how he can dominate the glass. He has a nose for where the ball is going to bounce and the hops to get there first. Ed also gets block of the game for his two blocks in about 30 seconds near the end of the second half.
    • OK, I can finally say it, “Kid can play!” Award – Larry Drew II
    • Stat Stuffer (aka Danny Green Award): We might have to rename this the Marcus Ginyard Award – 10 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 1 blk, 4 stls
    • Bill Lumbergh Look-Alike: Former Dukie Mike Gminski – see below

    The resemblance is striking.

     

    (game photos by Robert Willet of the N & O)

     

  • shwineka 5:06 pm on November 24, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , Grayson Flittner, , , , , Runnin' Bulldogs, Shane Battier, , , , tyler zeller, , ,   

    Wrap-Up: UNC Routs Gardner Webb 93-72 

    (Photo by Robert Willett of the N&O)

    UNC 93, Gardner-Webb 72

    Box Score

    The story of this game is short and sweet.

    Gardner Webb was just outsized and out-athlete-ed. Yes, it’s a word. Anyways UNC’s perimeter defense was again shaky, it’s just GW didn’t have the guards Syracuse did. That didn’t stop Runnin’ Bulldogs guard Grayson Flittner from tying the record for most 3-pointers in a game in the Dean Dome (9). The kid could not miss. He finished with 32 points.

    Takeaways from the game:

    • It seems like Tyler Zeller has taken a charge every single game. It will be shorting him a few games worth, but starting now we’ll try to keep track of how many games he does this. So beginning yesterday, he’s 1 for 1.
    • Dexter Strickland has shown flashes of greatness. His development will determine a lot in regards to how far Carolina goes this year. If he steps up big, look out.
    • When both the Wear twins are on the floor at the same time, UNC plays smart. You can tell these kids have played together their entire lives. Did anyone else catch how the only resemblance of a comeback in the Syracuse game came mostly at the hands of the Wears? Wish they were a bit more athletic, but you can’t have everything, they’ll get there.

    Superlatives:

    • The “If you call me Shane Battier, I’ll kick your ass” Award: Tyler Zeller
    • Best Block: Once again to John Henson for his block-into-leap-frog-between-the-legs-bounce-pass-to-save-it-from-going-out play. It’s at the 1:23 mark of the video, though you can’t see the best part, which is the out-of-bounds save. That’s two wins in this category for Mr. Henson.
    • Stat Stuffer (aka the Danny Green Award): Marcus Ginyard – 8 pts, 5 rebs, 6 asts, 3 stls
    • Most Minutes without a Turnover Award (sadly a very important one): Tyler Zeller, 15 min played

     

     

    • lulu 1:29 pm on November 27, 2009 Permalink

      will be looking forward to the “superlatives” “OVER-THE-TOP-CATEGORIES-THAT- SHOULD -NOT BE-MISSED.”

  • hiphopobserver 3:12 pm on November 19, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , tyler zeller, , ,   

    Who's got a 9 in the Clutch column? 

    So, the main thing that worries me about tonight’s showdown against Ohio State is what happens when the game is close in crunch time?

    No player has yet to stand out as a go-to man in this sort of situation, and after watching Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan St. and other ranked teams take early games down to the wire, it made me wonder.

    Let’s run down the players:

    Ed Davis is always a viable option, and I really think kid’s got ice water in his veins. My only concern would be getting the ball down low to him for an easy basket. Same goes for Deon Thompson. I know he can score, but can we get the ball to him?

    Larry Drew II has proven that he’s a much improved point guard this season, but I’ve never seen him have to take control of a tight game. Again, not questioning his skill, but sometimes it takes an experience in this sort of situation to have what’s needed. I just don’t want tonight to be a trial by fire and come out on the wrong end of it.

    Moving out to our shooters, there really isn’t one that I completely trust. Will Graves’ shots always look like they are going in, but that’s not always the case. Drew II has knocked down a couple jumpers as well from outside, but he’s not going to take the shot. And Marcus Ginyard has also been reliable from outside, but only when the game has not been in jeopardy.

    I almost like the idea of having John Henson taking a 15 footer around the charity stripe. A couple times this year his defender has played off him and he’s knocked the shot down, but I’d hate to put the ball in his hand, have something go wrong and lose confidence. I’d rather take an early L then that.

    Here’s what I think, Tyler Zeller for a short jumper or Marcus for a drive to the basket.

    Tyler has showed us he can put up the points and knock down open shots. If Ed, Deon and Zeller were all in the game, any big will be down low on Ed and Deon, move Tyler right outside the paint and Bam!, easy two points.

    Otherwise, clear it out in the middle and let Marcus drive. He’s not going to lose the ball and he’s strong enough to take it up and either draw the foul or get a good shot off. Dude is a 5th year player and has been through it all, he’s the one with the confidence and athleticism to get us the points.

    That’s just my take, what’s everybody else think?

     

  • shwineka 2:21 pm on November 18, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Buckeyes, , , Dallas Lauderdale, David Lighty, , , , James Madison, JMU, John Diebler, , Kyle Madsen, , , , Player of the year, , Thad Matta, tyler zeller, , , WIlliam Buford   

    Trees vs. Bees: UNC vs. Ohio State Preview 

    Tomorrow under the blazing lights of Madison Square Garden, Carolina will get its first test of the season against  No. 15 Ohio State in the 2K Sports Classic.

    The matchup will be tricky as the Heels are a frontcourt-heavy team, and Ohio State is guard-laden — star guard-laden.

    The Buckeyes’ point guard, in case you hadn’t heard of him, is Evan Turner, and he might challenge for National Player of the Year. If you get a chance — which if you read this blog, you probably will tomorrow night — you should watch this guy play. At 6′7″, he’s OSU’s point guard and fifth tallest player. He chalked up a triple double in the Buckeyes’ first game of the season, with 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists, and followed it up with 24 points and 17 rebounds against James Madison last Thursday. As you probably inferred from that stat line, the guy is active on the glass, and once he gets a defensive rebound the ball is consequently in the hands of  OSU’s point guard, making the outlet pass a threat.

    Other than Turner, they’ve got David Lighty, William Buford and John Diebler, who are all 6′5″ or 6′6″, play guard and log starter’s minutes. After watching the James Madison game, it appears Turner and Lighty look to drive first, but are certainly not shy about popping a trey. Diebler and Buford seemed more perimeter oriented. As a team, they don’t take a ton of threes, but don’t leave them open because they can shoot them at a good percentage.

    Sounds like a pretty dangerous team right?

    Here’s where the matchup gets interesting. Of the four players taller than Turner (6′8″ and up), only two of them play significant minutes. At 6′9″, Kyle Madsen has been starting and last year’s starting center, 6′8″ Dallas Lauderdale, has been coming off the bench while he recovers from a broken bone in his hand. Against JMU, Madsen played 19 minutes and Lauderdale 13. OSU doesn’t really depend on its post play.

    Carolina, however, does.

    It’s widely accepted that UNC’s frontcourt is certainly the deepest and possibly the most talented in the nation. It will be interesting to see how Thad Matta decides to defend the Heels. If he plays man-to-man, mismatches will result out the wookie, allowing the likes of Deon Thompson, Ed Davis, Tyler Zeller and John Henson to dominate down low. I’m guessing he’ll play some kind of zone, if not for the whole game, at least large portions of it. This would challenge UNC’s guards in getting the ball inside and also require them to make plays they might not normally make.

    The thing I could see hurting the Buckeyes is foul trouble. Their top six players, maybe seven, are talented enough to play with the Heels, but after that, I’m not so sure they have the depth. Another observation, is that the Bucks’ best player is also one of their tallest on the floor many times. If OSU decides to match up size-wise, Turner would end up banging down low more often than not, possibly tiring him out.

    Prediction: OSU’s shooting will suffer because of Carolina’s size on defense. UNC will win the rebounding, not often giving up more than one shot. Evan Turner will have 20 points and 11 rebounds, but his efforts will be in vain. Carolina is too deep and by the time the game’s over, Turner is worn out and his teammates are frustrated because they couldn’t get their offense going.

    Final Score: UNC 82 OSU 70

     

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