#7 Michigan hosts #11 North Carolina in Big 10-ACC Challenge

North Carolina bounced back after losing to Texas in the first round of the Las Vegas Invitational by beating #17 UCLA by 16. Outside of Nova, Michigan has not been battle tested yet. This game has huge implications on where Michigan really is as well as another key win on each team’s resume once March rolls around. 

Keys to defeating the Tar Heels: 

North Carolina can score and they can score a lot. They average 96.6 PPG (5th in the nation) and have put up triple digits three times so far. But Michigan has the best defense in the entire country, limiting teams to just 48.3 Points Per Game. This will be the marquee matchup in this game will be the guard play defensively for Michigan against UNC’s offense with stars like Cameron Johnson, Coby White, and potential lottery pick, Nassir Little. The Tar Heels are somewhat average on defense ranking 215th according to KenPom. Michigan staying aggressive on offense and taking advantage of opportunities will be key. North Carolina will score some points, it just depends on if Michigan can limit them enough to win. 

Keys to defeating the Wolverines:

Michigan doesn’t particularly shoot the ball well. Like at all. They average 44% from the floor per game, 126th in assists and foul at a ridiculous rate (328th in the nation). The key will be to apply pressure and make them take contested shots. They shoot 32% from 3 and just 63% from the free throw line. This is also a extremely young Michigan with just one senior. UNC has 3 seniors that either start or play a considerable amount of minutes. Forcing Michigan to hoist shots will be the main key and keeping their somewhat adequate offense from creating a lot of momentum.

Player to Watch:

North Carolina:

The general and leader of this UNC team is Forward Luke Maye. Averaging 14 PPG and 8.6 RPG, Maye is a force down low as well as beyond the arc. Although he has struggled so far this year, he shot 40 and 43% from three his sophomore and junior year. If he brings plays well and can crash the boards, he’ll be the key behind UNC’s Victory.

Michigan: 

Freshman Ignas Brazdeikis has started the year on a tear with 56/35/80 so far for his freshman campaign. He averages nearly 16 pointes per game and almost 6 rebounds. On a big stage at home, Ignas will be a key for the Wolverines if he is effective on offense and is able to limit Nassir Little or Luke Maye (whichever one he is guarding primarily), he could hold UNC enough to pull off (in my eyes would be) a big upset.

Final Verdict: North Carolina takes this game. Nassir Little has the breakout game against a big time program in Michigan as North Carolina hangs 75+ on the statistically best defense in the NCAA. North Carolina 77, Michigan 64.

Image Credit:  https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/unc-now/article184824988.html