ESPN - 9PM - Chapel Hill, NC

Carolina enters at 6-1 (lost to Syracuse) while MSU is 5-1 (lost to Florida). The two teams met twice last season, with Carolina dominating both matchups...a 98-63 victory in last year's ACC/Big Ten Challenge and an 89-72 win in the national championship game. The two teams look much different this season, but both have high expectations once again. This game is of great importance to both squads, especially after both have already lost an OOC game.

Who ya got?

If Michigan State takes care of the basketball I feel they will win this one

Neither team has looked like world-beaters. A week ago I would have said MSU by double digits, but now I like the way UNC matches up. MSU has major issues at the five. Garrick Sherman will be very good in time, but I can't envision him being the starting five-man for a national title team. MSU will have to go small IMO, which they've done anyway for the most part. Ginyard will give Lucas fits. So this UNC team matches up well with the Spartans.

That said, I'm just not sold that Carolina can get enough production from its back court. I still think MSU wins, but I give Carolina a much better chance than I would have previously.

The battle of the two most overrated teams to start the season IMO. I like MSU's guard play, but if they don't shoot a good % then I think the Heels grind out a win.

Should be a close game. I will take N.C. by 3

I was worried about this game, but for some reason, I'm not so much now..

I have this feeling that UNC will win by 5.

Overall though, I'm expecting a good game and a GREAT effort from MSU.. I just hope UNC can limit the to's, shoot a good % and play some great defense to allow them to get on the break..

Should be a pretty good game, in my opinion. Both teams have struggled somewhat to start the season, but they're very talented. Hopefully this game brings out the best in both squads.

From a Carolina perspective, they have to take care of the basketball and play solid defense. If they can do those two things, I think they'll have a chance to win the game. If they turn it over a bunch, then MSU will probably win comfortably.

Should be a great game. I think Larry Drew is gonna be the key. If he can take care of the ball and get the Heels running at the frantic pace that only they can Carolina will have a good chance to win the game. If he turns it over a bunch it could get ugly. I was surprised at how well he shot the ball on Sunday and heard the announcers say he shot 600 jumpers a day in the off season. It's good to see kids working hard to improve their games and have it pay off for them.

I agree completely, karen. Drew II is the key, not only to this game, but Carolina's entire season. He had a great game on Sunday (12 pts, 10 assts, and only 1 TO). If he builds on that, and continues to play well, Carolina's growing pains will be much easier for the team to handle.

UNC looks pretty good so far. Defense looks very good and it seems they are getting every loose ball. Also helps when ur knocking down just about everything all of the freshman are playing out of their minds right now

Henson needs to eat a sandwich

karen lotz wrote: Henson needs to eat a sandwich

LOL yes he does, hopefully he stays around would like to see what he could do after he puts some weight on cuz he is already a stud.

UNC doing a great job on the boards not allowing MSU to get a lot of second chances. Really like what Drew II is doing not just offensively but he is doing a great job defensively on Lucas.

Carloina just wont miss lol.

Lucas trying to do way too much and is hurting MSU big time. UNC playing very well right now. UNC can match MSU on the boards as the are much bigger on the front line.

What a way to close out the half. Huge D stop and Strickland coming down to hit a 3 at the buzzer cant ask for anything much better.

Great first half for UNC. Shot over 60% from the field played some great defense. MSU 0-7 from 3's which im sure they are gonna shoot better in the 2nd, UNC has to keep them off the boards and keep playing some solid D and they should be fine

centralbucksfan wrote: Lucas trying to do way too much and is hurting MSU big time. UNC playing very well right now. UNC can match MSU on the boards as the are much bigger on the front line.

Agree Lucas trying to do to much but Drew has done a very nice job defensively on him as well, I also think Thompsan was trying to do to much earlier in the game but later let the game come to him a little more and hit some crucial baskets to keep that run going. and UNC does have a huge frontline but still worried bout the O boards because Izzos teams always go at the O glass hard.

UNC's freshmen and sophomores are playing over their heads right now, but that's just fine with me.

Is it me or does it seem like MSU is doing a lot of 1 on 1 on the offensive end? Doesn't seem like they are running too many sets.

UNC has taken MSU out of it's game, just as they always do when they play. MSU is used to grinding it out, but it ALWAYS seems they try to get into a track meet with UNC and it ALWAYS FAILS...

Great first half for our Heels...

Wow Raymar Morgan just absolutely pwnd the dude for UNC..that was nasty

After I got home from bowling I was going to watch was left of this game but after 10 seconds I turned it off. I can not stand hearing Dickie V.

newarkcatholicfan wrote: After I got home from bowling I was going to watch was left of this game but after 10 seconds I turned it off. I can not stand hearing Dickie V.

Cool story bro.

2nd half was a little rough, but to be expected. We all knew MSU would make a run. Even with the poor FT shooting down the stretch, this is an excellent out of conference win for the young Heels. I fully expect MSU to be playing its best ball in March and would be a logical pick for the Final Four.

Next up...Kentucky at Rupp on Saturday. Another big test. These young men have to grow up early. I'm glad UNC isn't afraid to travel on the road to face tough opponents, unlike some other big name programs

GO HEELS!!!

Big, big win for Carolina.

GREAT first half by the Heels, but they still need to learn how to finish. Missing free throws and turning the ball over down the stretch will get you beat, especially against good teams. The young guys need to develop the killer instinct, and guys like Ginyard and Thompson need to do a better job of closing out the game.

Ed Davis was a beast all night and Larry Drew II is really coming around. Thompson had a nice game and the contributions from Strickland and Henson were huge. The freshman did play over their heads a little tonight, but you can see that they're gaining confidence and beginning to play much better.

There are still things to improve on, and the Heels are a work in progress, but this is a great win over a Top 10 team. I'll take it.

Now it's time to go to Rupp on Saturday. Hope the Heels can get another big win, this time over UK.

slidepiece wrote: Next up...Kentucky at Rupp on Saturday. Another big test. These young men have to grow up early. I'm glad UNC isn't afraid to travel on the road to face tough opponents, unlike some other big name programs

GO HEELS!!!

Because Duke isn't playing at the Kohl Center tomorrow night or anything?

I'm not too familiar with Duke's past schedules, but they do tend to take a lot of heat for rarely playing a true road game in the non-conference slate. I could be wrong, but it seems like most of Duke's OOC road games (ones that aren't part of this challenge) are usually at neutral sites. Like I said, I don't know enough about their past schedules and I don't feel like looking it up, but K's program gets criticized for this a lot. Maybe it's just a misconception.