North Carolina is 29-7
Kentucky is 28-8

North Carolina defeated Kentucky on December 4th in Chapel Hill, 75-73

This game is in Newark, New Jersey and will be broadcast by CBS

For the fans of these teams, and who remember December 4th, this is such an intriguing rematch. Quite honestly, I'm getting more and more excited by the minute because there are so many storylines in this game.

You could watch a replay of that game, which was actually VERY GOOD, and see two totally different teams square off tomorrow. I'm no expert, but I do consider myself fairly knowledgeable about the game and if you would have told me on December 4th that game would be a preview of a NCAA Regional Final and probably a favorite to advance to play for a National Title, I would have had a hard time believing you.

What do the UNC fans think?

Azubuike24;725514 wrote:For the fans of these teams, and who remember December 4th, this is such an intriguing rematch. Quite honestly, I'm getting more and more excited by the minute because there are so many storylines in this game.

You could watch a replay of that game, which was actually VERY GOOD, and see two totally different teams square off tomorrow. I'm no expert, but I do consider myself fairly knowledgeable about the game and if you would have told me on December 4th that game would be a preview of a NCAA Regional Final and probably a favorite to advance to play for a National Title, I would have had a hard time believing you.

What do the UNC fans think?

I really wish that I knew what to think... obviously, a game played on December 4 means so very little now - and even less given that the game was played in Chapel Hill.

I do know that Kentucky has proven from since the SEC tournament, they are playing as well as anyone in the nation and the Cats showed incredible execution last night - along with a 'play-to-win' approach in a huge game rather than 'play-not-to-lose' mindset that I feel the Buckeyes displayed. I believe that Kentucky's success last night can be distilled down to two key factors... Harrellson's ability to defend Sullinger by himself and scoring from the point guard position. Granted, Knight scored only nine points, but Craft simply wasn't a presence at all offensively for OSU.

I am interested in seeing how these same two considerations play out Sunday... Harrellson certainly has the capability to neutralize either Zeller or Henson (but what will they do with the other?) and Knight vs. Marshall is definitely an intriguing matchup. Given that Marshall is not always all that willing to look for his shot, the advantage here may indeed swing to UK.

Friday's game (at least the first half, anyway) was another step forward in Carolina's evolution defensively, but I know for certain that the Cats will not shoot as poorly as Marquette did and I am concerned about how well they can score in transition. Along those same lines, UNC has to have at least some success shooting from the perimeter and continue their effectiveness on the boards - both easier said than done against Kentucky's athleticism.

As a Carolina fan, I am assuredly hoping for a victory by UNC on Sunday, but I have to acknowledge how well UK is playing right now and that they will be coming to play. Still, my Heels have been finding ways to win all season long, so that trend may indeed continue.

Here's looking forward to an exciting, competitive contest - as befitting a Regional Championship game!

Good luck, Az!

Cats by 4. Same type of game as the one we saw last night.

Im up in the air on this game but I believe it will be a great game. I gotta watch it on DVR since I gotta work during it. At least it wont be a home game for UNC in which UK only lost by 2.

I'm thinking the Heels take this one, they are rolling right now

You are looking at the world's biggest temporary Deron Feldhaus fanatic. I interviewed him in college for an article I wrote about the famous 1992 East Regional final and he was incredibly gracious and, might I say, even chivalrous. He deserves a polite ending tomorrow. I am going to watch that '92 game tonight and stop it after Sean Woods makes his impossible leaning floater.

This is what I will be pretending my bedroom set looks like when I tuck myself in tonight.



Go Big Blue!

-Unashamed Big Blue Mist member since Friday

Great post by Bond...James Bond.

Josh Harrellson is playing out of his mind in this tournament. He's very physical and will be a tough matchup for the more slightly built Zeller and Henson. At the same time, though, the Carolina bigs may be able to get him in foul trouble or run him up and down the floor, eventually wearing him out. If Harrellson stays out of foul trouble, and Carolina can't get out in transition enough, I think this game goes to the Cats. If it's just the opposite, I think Carolina wins.

I feel like UK provides a lot of problems for Carolina with their outside shooting and dribble penetration. They have several guys who are very effective stroking threes, but those same players can also get into the lane and take it to the rim. Very tough team to defend. As I said before, Zeller and Henson need to have big games for the Heels to win, as do Marshall and Barnes. Marshall has to take care of the ball and distribute, and Barnes needs to really assert himself on the offensive end. Dexter Strickland, who I'm assuming will probably guard Brandon Knight for most of the game, really needs to keep Knight from controlling this game.

There are obviously several intriguing matchups and various factors that will play a role in this game. I'm definitely worried because Kentucky has been finding ways to win for the last few weeks, but so has Carolina. Hopefully I'll be a very happy Tar Heel fan tomorrow night.

Where have all the Buckeye fans gone?

If UNC plays defense and values the ball they will win this game.Against OSU UK got 25% of their points from a 7.0 ppg scorer. That will not not happen against UNC's frontline. It should be entertaining if Cal tries to run with UNC.

believer;726082 wrote:Where have all the Buckeye fans gone?

Why would they be in this thread?

Cleveland Buck;726127 wrote:Why would they be in this thread?

Because it always seems that OSU fans and Duke fans love to jump on threads about other teams and talk about how great they are and they would beat the other teams.

Cleveland Buck;726127 wrote:Why would they be in this thread?

Oh I dunno....I figured Sleeper at least would be on here explaining that Kentucky's win was a fluke and that Ohio State will still win it all. Something like that...........

GO to HELL Josh Harrellson!

^^^^I don't believe this will be posted though....the big and talented white guy will struggle tonight....foul trouble wouldn't surprise me.

I hope not. I think Liggins can neutralize Barnes and Harrellson can limit Zeller. It's gonna be up to Lamb and Miller to make shits and Jones to finally step up against Henson.

I love making shits.

Grew up a Kentucky fan, so let's go Cats!

Kentucky up by 8 over UNC at the half.
Kentucky playing just like they did against the Bucks, and chucking up the 3.
Exciting game so far.

UK looked like the better team pretty much that entire half.

Kentucky looking real good after a sloppy start. They have ballooned the lead to double digits.
UNC is in real foul trouble too.

UK must be living right..they play OSU...they couldn't throw it in the ocean..now UNC is shooting nothing but bricks as well!

Stockton to Malone baby.

Why did I talk on this thread. SMH and FML.

UK's defense is the best I've seen in a LONG time. They are TOUGH. It's not a coincidence or a fluke.