North Carolina - Washington State Preview

Sweet 16
University of North Carolina Tar Heels (1) Vs. Washington State University (4)
Thursday, March 27 @ 7:27 pm

The UNC Tar Heels have played like the top team in the nation and the number one seed in the tournament, dismantling opponents with ease. Arkansas was the Tar Heels’ latest victim. At the half, the guys from UNC were up 51- 26. The game ended with a 108- 77 UNC victory.

The Heels completely controlled the contest, passing, shooting and rebounding at will. The team totaled 28 assists with point guard Ty Lawson topping that area with 7, while swingman Marcus Ginyard earned 6. Lawson hit for 19 points, including going two for four from downtown.

The Tar Heels shot 68% from the floor, 71% from the foul line and 50% from the three-point arc. Five Tar Heels finished with double-digit scoring. Shooting guard Wayne Ellington led all scorers with 20 points.

Forward Tyler Hansbrough led the team with 10 rebounds. He also added 17 points for a double-double. Forward Deon Thompson, who put in 16 points knocked away three opponent shots.

In their playoff run, the Washington State Cougars have earned 31 and 20-point victories. In their second Tournament game of 2008, the fourth seed Cougars beat fifth seed Notre Dame 61- 41.

State ably slowed down the Fighting Irish attack, limiting the offensive output of Notre Dame star Luke Harangody to 10 points (half of his average). Washington State only turned the ball over 7 times, while the Irish had 13 turnovers. The Cougar defense garnered 8 steals and held their opponent’s field goal success rate to a mere 25%.

On offense, shooting guard Derrick Low led all scorers with 18 points, while point man Taylor Rochestie dished off 7 of State’s 14 assists. Low grabbed three steals and Low two. Center Aron Baynes brought down 11 rebounds while scoring six points. Guard Kyle Weaver, who had three steals, put in 15 points.

The Cougars are playing well but the Tar Heels are playing the best college basketball in the nation. Look for the Tar Heels to drive and fly by the Cougars and on to the Elite Eight.