Heels vs Wildcats(again)
| North Carolina | Kansas State | |
| Record | 4-1 | 4-0 |
| Conference | ACC | Big 12 |
| KenPom Rank | #7 | #68 |
| Points per game | 81.6 | 80.0 |
| Adj. Off. Efficiency(Rank) | 115.1(5th) | 102.6(148th) |
| Ad. Def. Efficiency(Rank) | 94.1(25th) | 95.0(30th) |
| Tempo(Rank) | 73.7(52nd) | 71.6(159th) |
| Offensive eFG% | 53.0% | 46.8% |
| Defensive eFG% | 47.8% | 42.6% |
| Field Goal % | 48.6% | 42.4% |
| 2P FG% | 54.6% | 50.0% |
| 3P FG% | 32.6% | 26.9% |
| FT% | 69.8% | 73.5% |
| Offensive Reb Rate | 36.0% | 39.3% |
| Defensive Reb Rate | 78.9% | 76.2% |
| TO Rate | 14.8% | 14.8% |
| FT Rate | 33.7% | 55.5% |
| 3PA% | 27.3% | 32.8% |
Unlike the previous three opponents UNC has faced, Kansas State actually struggles quite a bit on the offensive end. The Wildcats come in hitting just 27% from beyond the arc and just 42% on all shots. Kansas State also doesn't shoot the three that much with only 27% of all FGA coming from the perimeter. Still the Wildcats have a couple of players who have made the most of their attempts. 6-10 Dean Wade is 7-12 from three and shoots 79% from the free throw line. A big man who can go outside could present a match-up issue for UNC. Guard Barry Brown is the only other Wildcat that has shown regular ability to hit the three going 6-15 in four games.
The bigger challenge for UNC will be on the interior. Kansas State is a match for UNC on the backboards with an offensive rebounding rate of 39.3% while collecting 76.2% of opponent misses on the defensive glass. That is comparable to UNC's OR% of 36.0 and DR% of 78.9. UNC's OR% is still below last season but took a step in the right direction last night thanks in large part to Justin Jackson. The sophomore guard's six offensive rebounds helped UNC to an OR% of 40.6 against Northwestern, the first time the Tar Heels have been over 40% all season.
Numbers wise, Kansas State is a solid but not great defensive team. The Wildcats do force turnovers with a defensive turnover rate of 22% which is well above average. On the other hand, UNC is at 17.1% for defensive turnover rate which should improve once Marcus Paige returns. For this game, UNC will need to find other ways to force turnovers.
