The six that needs to get the most minutes for Carolina to beat Duke

[IDUNK4HEELS]

With all due respect to Tyson who has begun to get extended minutes as of late, Carolina has hasically lived with a 8 man rotation most of the year featuring the four forwards of :,J Witt, Powell, Lubin and Washington and the 4 guards of:,Trimble, Jackson, Davis and Cadeau…Jackson and Trimble have also played some small forward when Powell and Withers need a break.

Duke is so big at every position and in the game in Durham every Blue Devil starter were bigger then every Tar Heel they lined up against so saying that both Powell and Withers have to play as much as possible to help on the boards and prevent Duke from getting second and third shots.

To keep the game close against a high scoring deep Duke team Carolina will also have to score and that is where I feel Jackson needs to join Davis in the backcourt as much as possible. UNC cannot play most of the game with two small guards trying to hold the much bigger guards from Duke. Also as great as Cadeau is distributing the rock he does not give the Tar Heels the offensive firepower that Jackson does who will drive on everybody and bomb from everywhere.

Personally I think Withers is the key to a possible win at home against the new number one team come Monday. He needs to try and hold Flagg under 25 points and contribute at least 10 points offensively for the home team. Powell needs to hold Kneeple somehow in a battle of freshmen superstars.

Duke’s 7 foot freshman center must be contained by Washington and Lubin and the Carolina duo must contribute some points offensively.

Trimble like Withers is the wildcard as he has been looking to score as of late and has been spectacular on defense.

So saying this for the reasons clearly listed above the following six need need to get the majority of the minutes once the game gets started: Davis, Jackson, Lubin, Powell and Withers and Trimble. Cadeau can start and then backup Davis the rest of the game and Trimble can come in and give instant offense to either forward position.

Carolina has no chance in Hell beating Duke playing four guards on the court but three forwards give the team on paper a fighting chance.

Just got to hope the team keeps up its excellent three point shooting

 

[NathanFielder]

The main key will be that Duke cannot play its A game. If Duke executes and plays well on both ends of the court, they’re going to win the game because they’re the superior team. So someone typically good on Duke is going to have to have a really poor game or they collectively don’t shoot it well. They’re going to have to contribute to their own demise.

For UNC, the obvious will be they have to make enough 3s in all likelihood. Not saying I want them chucking it 40 times but they’ll need to make the open opportunities from 3. And someone unexpected may need to have a surprisingly good scoring game.

The 2 absolute musts for me though. UNC has to win the FT battle and hopefully win it by some distance. Lubin and Withers can’t get into foul trouble. Protect your first foul.

It will take a big time defensive effort. If you think UNC has to run to be effective, they won’t get to play fast enough if Duke scores efficiently or gets to the FT line. A snails pace favors Duke since they’re bigger and more skilled.

A positive should be you have to expect Ian Jackson will play much better on this return leg vs at Duke.

I think it’s an uphill battle but UNC certainly has a chance to win and prove that they’re a good team and the recent run wasn’t all due to the schedule. It will be 0-0 when the ball is tipped and they’ll have their opportunity to put together their best performance of the season. It’s a great opportunity for them. I think UNC plays well and will have a shot to win if they execute well in the final 4 minutes.

 

[Bubspub88]

... It will be 0-0 when the ball is tipped ...

Yeah, but Valentine will probably whistle Withers for contact with Flagg on the jumpball

 

[superstar57]

The closer we get to tip-off, I am starting to feel this will be a game of runs. I wish it where not true, but there is no way we can stop Dook for 40 minutes from scoring on us, but with enough grit and fouls we should be able to keep them within shooting distance all game.

I don't think we can afford to have Seth guard any forward on Dook, he is going to have his hands full with there guards, and we need him to shut his man down! Washington, Lubin, Tyson, and Whiters all have to play because we need there fouls more than anything. Whiters hitting a few corner threes would help too. Between those 4 guys I need 16 boards at least.

EC if he is helping us win at the start of the game then play him, if not roll with the guard line up that works. Ian Jackson is a really good player, and looking back at his high school highlights he matched up really well when the competition was high. I also feel Powell is ready for his "I have arrived moment" people forget HD brought us stud recruits" just no center.

RJ needs to be a team leader today. RJ gets so hot sometimes it actually messes with others game while playing with him, that is the genius of havin, EC because he breaks us out of isolation basketball. When Seth is hitting his 3, I actually prefer him at PG with RJ at shooting guard. It allows Powell and Jackson to offer assistance down low on defense, instead of always having to help on EC's man.

No knock on EC, but this game may be won without him today. I don't see a place for him today. I hope I am wrong.