Before we break down the matchups, enjoy once again the trailer from HBO's Battle for Tobacco Road...
If that doesn't get you fired up, what will?
How about this...
Or this...
Enough hype.
Matchups
| Position | UNC | Duke | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Ty Lawson | Greg Paulus | UNC: If Lawson is committed to making Paulus put the ball on the floor, this is an easy win |
| SG | Wayne Ellington | Jon Scheyer | UNC: Ellington has been one of the hottest players in the ACC while Scheyer has been one of the coldest |
| SF | Danny Green | Gerald Henderson | Duke: Just like his former high school teammate, Henderson has been as good as any ACC player in conference play |
| PF | Deon Thompson | Kyle Singler | Duke: Singler has played poorly over his last two games, but should create matchup problems for Thompson |
| C | Tyler Hansbrough | Lance Thomas | UNC: Duke has no answer for Tyler Hansbrough |
| B1 | Bobby Frasor | Nolan Smith | Duke: Smith should be an answer for Lawson's quickness |
| B2 | Ed Davis | Brian Zoubek | UNC: Davis will give Duke a lot of problems and Zoubek may be the only person that can withstand Hansbrough's physical play |
| B3 | Drew,etc | McClure,Williams, etc | Duke: Coach K compared McClure to Dennis Rodman after the Miami game with his ability to create more possessions for Duke. |
So after going 8 players deep, we're at a draw, 4 to 4. So, what will decide this game? Here are the key factors to watch.
- Tempo: Watch for Duke to attack early and try and run with the Heels, especially since the game is in Cameron. With games like this the first few minutes can knock you back and make you need to catch your breath. Despite UNC being the more up-tempo team they are the team with less depth.
- Ty Lawson: Which Ty Lawson will show up? When Lawson is aggressively looking to score this is a much more dangerous UNC team. On the defensive side of the ball, Lawson's ability to defend Greg Paulus' jumpshot may also have a big effect on the game.
- Scorer #3 for Duke: Duke has struggled to find a 3rd player to step up and help out Kyle Singler and Gerald Henderson, but against Miami both Jon Scheyer and Greg Paulus chipped in big games. Who will step up tonight?
- Containing Tyler Hansbrough (and rebounding): I'll be shocked if Duke doesn't double team the big man. Hansbrough is a human vacuum cleaner (no not because he sucks Duke fans), but because once he gets it, he's not passing. Duke will double with their second big, so the Duke wings will have to box out to avoid giving up offensive rebounds to Ed Davis and Deon Thompson.
So, what do you think? Who will win this game? Who will step up and make the youtube videos we'll be watching next year?
