Louisville and North Carolina played earlier in the season when UNC pulled off a single point victory to ignite their season. This time the Tar Heels travel to Louisville for a rematch that should be as good as the first game. The Cardinals need a signature win to prove they are title contenders, and this game is the perfect chance for them to get it.
Louisville lead for the most part of the first game. Chris Jones and Terry Rozier were tearing it up for the Cardinals as they were up by double digits one part of the game. UNC then rallied and brought it to a single point game. Marcus Paige then hit a scooping layup and Louisville missed two shots at the end to give UNC the single point victory. Don’t expect the game to be much different than that result.
North Carolina is winner of six straight and is 13th in the country playing like one of the top teams in the nation. They are led by point guard Paige, who was supposed to be one of the best guards in the country but has had trouble living up to the preseason hype. UNC destroyed Louisville on the boards last game grabbing 17 offensive rebounds. Brice Johnson grabbed 11 of those rebounds and played fantastic defense on Montrezl Harrell holding him to 9 points and 5 rebounds.
Louisville is coming off two very strong shooting performances with the wins against Pittsburgh and Boston College. Terry Rozier is performing like one of the best guards in the country leading Louisville in scoring. He had 25 points last time against UNC and was the one player to score for the Cardinals down the stretch. If Louisville can contain UNC in the paint, then they will be in great position to win this game. It will help also if Wayne Blackshear shoots better than 3 for 8 from the field.
X-factors: The X-factor for Louisville is forward Montrezl Harrell. He seemed invisible last time against the Tar Heels. Harrell needs to completely get rid of the 3-point shot. Every time he shoots it from beyond the arc it looks rushed and very rarely goes in. He has been relying on it too often, but last game against Boston College he didn’t shoot a single one and he just stuck to inside the paint play. The Eagles didn’t have an answer for him as Harrell played his original self. He has to score at least 15 points and pull in 8 rebounds, controlling the paint for Louisville. The x-factor for North Carolina is Marcus Paige. Even though he hit the game winning shot, he disappeared for the most part of the game. He will need to contain Chris Jones and Terry Rozier forcing them to take outside shots. Paige will have to be in attack mode trying to draw early fouls to get to the free throw line. Marcus Paige will need to have at least 16 points and 6 assists if he wants to have control of the game throughout.
Prediction: This is a must win for Louisville so they don’t have three early losses in ACC play before some tough upcoming games. Rick Pitino should bust out the white suit for the white out at the KFC Yum! Center. It might put some extra energy in the surging Cardinals. North Carolina will have to dominate the paint once again, double teaming Harrell on every touch, and force other players like Wayne Blackshear to take the majority of shots. The prediction here is for Louisville to pull out this game in another close one with a score of 76-72 behind a big game from Montrezl Harrell.