Thursday, February 26, 2015

Gameday Report: North Carolina



Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                 Canes Rising Contributor


Opponent: #15 University of North Carolina
Location: BankUnited Center (Capacity: 7,942)
Date/Time: February 28/ 2PM
TV/Radio: CBS/WVUM(90.5 FM)

Game Notes*

UNC's Best Scorer--Marcus Paige(13.6 PPG)
UNC's Best Rebounder--Brice Johnson(7.9 RPG)
UNC's Best Distributor--Marcus Paige(4.4 APG)
UNC's Best Perimeter Shooter--Marcus Paige(38.1%)
UNC's Best Free Throw Shooter--Marcus Paige(82.9%)

North Carolina's Team Rankings**

Points Per Game--14th (79.5 PPG)
Assists Per Game--1st (18 APG)
Rebounds Per Game--2nd (42.4 RPG)
Field Goal Percentage--30th (47.5%)
Points Allowed--250th (68.9 PPG)
Blocks Per Game--65th (4.5 BPG)
Steals Per Game--108th (6.9 SPG)

Who to Watch For

The 'Heels are coming to the BUC, and they represent the last opportunity for the 'Canes to make a major impression on the selection committee.  Roy Williams hasn't done too well against the 'Canes in recent years with his last win over Miami coming in 2012.  While UNC has a plethora of talented athletes, they are still a team that struggles to shoot from the perimeter, with only Marcus Paige being a legitimate threat.  Paige is more than just a gunner from the perimeter, he's a talented point guard who can get to the rim, and can also create for his teammates.  Kennedy Meeks is one of those teammates, he's a wide body forward who is similar to former 'Cane Reggie Johnson.  Meeks averages 12.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, he's come a long way from what he was earlier in his career.  Meeks will clog the lane, and depend on his outstanding footwork to create space in the post.  While Meeks works down low, J.P. Tokoto will spread the floor, and slash to open areas.  Tokoto is an explosive forward who is extremely rangy, and has improved his jump shot.  He's also a player who will crash the boards as evidenced by his five rebounds per game average.  The 'Heels are a team that relies on an extensive rotation, with players like Nate Britt and Brice Johnson contributing.  Johnson is another athletic, rangy player who gets his points in the paint, and in transition.

Keys To Victory

1. Contain Paige--Marcus Paige is the one player who can really hurt the 'Canes.  Kennedy Meeks is a talented big, but Paige can create off the dribble, and he can get other people involved.  It's imperative that Miami gets Davon Reed on Paige, and deny him the basketball.  Paige is too long, and too athletic for Angel Rodriguez, and Manu Lecomte, Miami's point guards.  He needs to be defended by a rangy defender who can work through screens and force Paige into errant passes.  Reed and Sheldon McClellan are the two players who can fill that role.

2. Fight on the Boards--North Carolina is full of long, athletic players who feast on the glass.  They get a lot of their points from putbacks.  While Miami may not have the size to compete with UNC, they can pay attention to detail, and not give the 'Heels easy opportunities.  That means players like Tonye Jekiri, Omar Sherman, and Ivan Cruz-Uceda have to box out, they have to make sure that Carolina's bigs aren't allowed to feast on garbage around the rim.

3. Pack The Paint--UNC isn't a team that can win if forced to shoot a ton of jumpers.  While we may see some zone from the 'Canes, Miami may feel that rebounding out of the zone is too complicated, and may stick to man to man defense.  If that happens, the 'Canes have to be willing to pack the lane, and force the 'Heels to win from the perimeter.  Packing the lane also helps Tonye Jekiri, who will be battling Kennedy Meeks all game.  Meeks is a tough matchup for Jekiri, because of his width.  Tonye is taller than Meeks, but Meeks likely outweighs the big fella.  Kennedy Meeks can't elevate in traffic, which means he can be neutralized by a sea of bodies. Marcus Paige, Nate Britt, and J.P. Tokoto can't be allowed to get into the painted area on drives.  Force those players to stop and take pull up jumpers, they aren't players who are comfortable doing that.

4. Protect the Rock--Teams like North Carolina depend on fast breaks in order to overwhelm opponents, and give their athletic players an opportunity at easy baskets.  Miami can't afford to give the 'Heels easy points, especially if UNC isn't hitting from the perimeter.  In Tuesday's game versus NC State, UNC only forced nine turnovers, in a 58-46 defeat.  If Angel Rodriguez and Manu Lecomte can limit their turnovers, Miami will be in position to win this pivotal game.


*--Statistics as of 2/24
**--UNC is ranked alongside 351 D-1 schools

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