North Carolina - Arkansas Preview

East- Round Two
UNC Tar Heels (1) Vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (9)
Sunday, March 23 @ 5:20 pm

The Tar Heels of North Carolina simply demolished the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers 113 to 74. You might say that Mount St. Mary’s didn’t have a prayer in this contest. It was over within minutes as the Heels, the top team in the nation and the first seed in the tourney, hammered away at the Mountaineers. At the half, it was 60- 41.

Everyone got into the game for UNC. Guard Ty Lawson and forward Tyler Hansbrough were each good for 21 points and 6 rebounds. Deon Thompson at forward grabbed 8 rebbies and put in 15 points.

UNC hit 61% from the field, 80% from the free throw line and 44% from downtown. They had 11 steals, 4 blocked shots and caused 15 turnovers. The Tar Heels turned the ball over just 9 times. Rebounds were 46 to 16 in favor of North Carolina.

In their last five tournament appearances, the Razorbacks were unable to make it out of the first round. But forward Sonny Weems, with 31 points, and forward/center Darian Townes double-double helped insure that Arkansas would survive to play again. The final in this one was Arkansas 86 and Indiana 72. Townes put up 17 and handled 12 bounds. Point guard Gary Ervin had 7 assists and 7 points, while guard Patrick Beverly scored 12 and dished off 3 assists. Both Weems and Perverly were good for 5 rebounds apiece.

Shooting 26 of 33 to their opponent’s 6 of 12, the Razorbacks were stellar from the foul line. They also sank 54% of their shots from the field, while the Hoosiers hit just 44%.

Now Arkansas must meet and defeat the formidable UNC Tar Heels. Can they win? They match-up well in shooting. But defense could be another question. If the Tar Heels play as disciplined against the Razorbacks as they did in their first contest, Arkansas will go no further. It’s North Carolina’s games to lose.