Providence or USC

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Assuming we get to the Saturday game, we face either Providence or UCS. According to ESPN, Providence is very slightly favored.

I know very little about either other than that Providence has Kris Dunn, whom some call the best PG in America.

On the stats, USC scares me more. Two starters shoot 42% from deep and they have 4 other guys who shoot well from deep, 3 of whom aren't afraid to jack it up. Including 2 tall guys.

We should be able to beat either team, but if USC is shooting at merely their normal pace, we could have trouble covering all their outside shooters.

I'd appreciate some insight from those who know more about these teams.

 

[goheels653]

Just don't lose in Raleigh.

 

[dadika13]

I want no part of Kris Dunn. Bentil is overhyped in my opinion, but Dunn is the real deal and one of those guys that can drop 40 on us.

Give me USC.

 

[imajericho]

Rather play USC but we beat Providence last year when they were better and we were worse. We should win either matchup.

 

[Bur-Heel]

Rather play USC but we beat Providence last year when they were better and we were worse. We should win either matchup.

Did we play them last year or the year before?..thought we played Harvard,Arkansas and Wisconsin last year?

 

[imajericho]

Did we play them last year or the year before?..thought we played Harvard,Arkansas and Wisconsin last year?

Maybe it was 2 years ago but they had Dunn then. He lit us up. Pretty sure.

 

[uncblueball]

Maybe it was 2 years ago but they had Dunn then. He lit us up. Pretty sure.

I think the guy that hurt us was named Cotton. Don't remember his first name.

 

[imajericho]

Geez I am like losing my mind.

 

[thaUNCshow]

My former AAU teammate Bryce Cotton is who went for 35 on us. Wish some more NBA teams would give him a shot.

Back to the topic though, Id rather play USC simply because they dont have a superstar like Dunn that can go for 40. When we lose its usually because one guy has a career night

 

[ChiShankCity]

USC wants to play at our pace. Providence doesn't.

USC averages 72 possessions/game
Providence averages 69 possessions/game.

So that's pretty clear. USC favors us match ups wise.

If we have complete faith in our D, Providence can't shoot from 3. USC is a really good 3 point shooting team. But typically, stylistically, USC favors us.

 

[imajericho]

Rather play Providence still.

 

[bleeduncblue]

I haven't seen USC this year but I can tell you that Providence is very talented. Thankfully it will be a home game no matter which way it goes, that will help.

 

[ChapelHeeled]

Rather play USC but we beat Providence last year when they were better and we were worse. We should win either matchup.

...last freakin year...? Really...??

 

[Corny T.]

...last freakin year...? Really...??

Guy's it was 2 years ago you played us, PC does not have one player playing today that played in that game. The team is all freshmen and sophomores except for Dunn who is a junior. He was hurt and did not play that year.

 

[coryfly]

Providence has one guy who is really good. I'm sure they have other good players as well but no one like Dunn. USC is a very good outside shooting team. So it just kind of depends on what you think UNC is most vulnerable to. TBH, our perimeter defense has been excellent so while UNC could lose they certainly should win.

 

[32TheEnigma]

I do not want USC. VERY Athletic and they have a secret weapon in 6'10" frosh Bennie Boatright who is deadly beyond the arc and arguably their best shooter. For whatever reasons he's always missed on the scouting reports and he had put up big numbers by drawing other bigs outside. He's also a very good ball handler and can create matchup problems.

 

[dbav]

I think Providence beats up on USC and you stomp Providence.

 

[Corny T.]

I do not want USC. VERY Athletic and they have a secret weapon in 6'10" frosh Bennie Boatright who is deadly beyond the arc and arguably their best shooter. For whatever reasons he's always missed on the scouting reports and he had put up big numbers by drawing other bigs outside. He's also a very good ball handler and can create matchup problems.

You just also described 6' 9" Soph Ben Bentil of Providence 27ppg in his last 7 and 21ppg on the year.

 

[Prof C]

I'll take USC. They were a mediocre team in a mediocre conference and beat one ranked team all year: Arizona in 4OT.

Providence, on the other hand, is dangerous with Dunn and Bentil. They've beaten Arizona, Villanova, Butler three times, and were in close games vs. Michigan St. and Xavier.

Some pundits are expecting UNC to lose to Providence in the 2nd round.

 

[Spacegrass]

I am pulling for USC over Providence. Bentl and Dunn are going to be matchup issues. Nobody on USC scares me as much as those 2 guys do for Providence.

 

[Bubspub88]

Give me the UNC defense from the ACC tourny and Paige's jumper falling and you can pick and all star team from USC and Providence.

 

[Ozheelfan]

I may be in the minority, but I really don't give a rats backside.
If the Heels are to achieve what we'd all like them to then they just have to win 6 games, no matter who they play.
I know, it's a good discussion point, but after the ACCT I believe UNC can match it with any team so I'll just wait to see who they're playing.