NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: North Carolina vs. Ohio Preview
Game: (1) North Carolina – (13) Ohio 3/23 7:47 PM ET
Bracket: Midwest Region
Game Analysis: The North Carolina faithful have been depressed ever since finding out that their star point guard, Kendall Marshall, broke a bone in his right wrist in the dwindling minutes of the team’s 87-73 pummeling of Creighton. Marshall landed awkwardly on his right side and was instantly in pain, causing him to subsequently get surgery the following day to repair it. It is fortunate that the injury was on his none-shooting hand, but it will still likely to at least miss their game on Friday. The team will be calling on freshman Stilman White to run the offense, but will also be spelled often by veteran Justin Watts. The duo will have an immense amount of pressure on them if they are required to carry the rock, so expect some rust in the early minutes of the game. Conversely, this is Ohio’s first trip to the sweet 16 since the team lost to Michigan in 1964, which the Bobcats ironically upset in the second round of the tournament. Ohio has a very tough task in front of them, but it will certainly be easier if they can manage to play UNC without Marshall.
Matchup to Watch: PG Stilman White, North Carolina vs. PG D. J. Cooper, Ohio - Not many freshmen get a chance to step into a North Carolina team that is playing in the Sweet 16 and needs them to be their starting point guard. However, that is exactly the situation that White is in. Marshall is unlikely to be back in time, so the opportunity is White’s to seize. Cooper on the other hand is 100% healthy and ready to go. The junior is absolutely electric around the rim, while leading the team in minutes per game (32.1), points (14.6), and assists (5.7). He is extremely quick in the open court and his speed will cause a matchup problem with whomever the Tar Heels start at point guard.
Matchup to Watch: North Carolina Forwards vs. Ohio Forwards – North Carolina may not have their star point guard, but they do have their superstar forwards ready to go. John Henson and Tyler Zeller feed off each other on defense, something that has been lacking from the Tar Heel team while Henson was recovering from his own wrist injury. Additionally, the team has forward Harrison Barnes, who leads the team with 17.4 points per game, despite getting the least media attention this year. Ohio will have their hands full with the best forward trio in the nation and will have to rely heavily on their speed. The Bobcats only start two forwards normally, Ivo Baltic and Jon Smith, but will have to keep reserve Reggie Keely ready to go at any moment. Ohio is extremely undersized at the forward positions, so they will have to focus on how they are faster than UNC, instead of the fact that they are much smaller.
Prediction: North Carolina 77 – Ohio 67
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