North Carolina will be partying like its 1993 as the face the Michigan Wolverines at the Battle 4 Atlantis. Surely they’ll be a lot of references to the 1993 National Championship game.
The Tar Heels come in with a lot of questions to be answered. Anthony’s shooting percentage has dipped and there are still questions about North Carolina’s three point shooting.
Cole Anthony the Distributor
Anthony’s North Carolina career started off in electric fashion but since then, he’s had up and downs like any freshman.
In his last two games, Anthony is 8-27 from the floor. If he were just missing shots, that would be one thing but the number of contested shots must decrease. That might happen organically as more players become healthy.
Even with Anthony struggling, where he can help the Tar Heels against Michigan is through distribution. Michigan point guard, Zavier Simpson is one of the best defensive point guards in the country. Anthony can’t have a six turnover performance like he did today against Alabama.
Killer B’s- Bacot and Brooks
Roy Williams’ North Carolina teams have always dominated the boards and this season it’s more important than ever. In the Alabama win Armando Bacot and Garrison Brooks controlled the boards and put up big numbers. They combined for 32 points and 22 rebounds. That will need to continue against Michigan along with getting points on post touches. It’s important that both players start scoring when the wing throws it in the post and just on put-backs, fast break finishes, and dump-offs.
X-Factor
This is going to be a constant all season but North Carolina will have to hit three pointers against this Michigan team. The Wolverines are stout on defense coming in at a respectable 64th in EFG%. Leaky Black and Brandon Robinson. Both Black and Robinson have only attempted six three pointers a piece all season but they will be the key.
