Q&A: Louisville vs. North Carolina

The ACC blogs here on Fansided are going to start new weekly Q&A’s with our ACC opponents. This week’s Q&A features our site, Big Red Louie, and the UNC website here on Fansided, Keeping It Heel.

1. I think everyone knows Carolina has the potential to be ACC Champions or even Final Four contenders…How do they get back to that this year? Is it all Marcus Paige, Roy Williams or is it team effort?

I think it starts with Marcus Paige, but it really is a team effort to get back to the Final Four. First of all, let me take Roy Williams’s name off that list. I have no problems with Williams’s coaching job of this team so far. I think he did a good job with the team last year, and I don’t think any of the problems with the team lie on his shoulders.

Marcus Paige has been good but can be better. Tar Heel fans are still waiting for a breakout game from him when he scores 28 points and shoots 6 of 8 from three or something. If Carolina wants to get back to the Final Four, it is going to have to be on the shoulders of Marcus Paige. Nobody else on the roster is good enough as of now to carry the team there.

Role players like Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks and J.P. Tokoto also have to keep playing and improving. And better play from the freshman in the second half of the season would go a long way towards getting back to the Final Four.

2. What are some of the major differences between last year’s Carolina team and this year’s version of UNC?

First, some similarities. Both teams are below-average three-point teams. UNC was a little better last year at threes, but mostly that is because Marcus Paige was better last year. Both teams rely heavily on Marcus Paige on the outside.

This year’s team is a little bit more talented. You could argue that last year, if all of UNC’s players were draft eligible, only two would have been drafted (P.J. Hairston in the first round, Marcus Paige in the second.) This year, I think as many as five Tar Heels (and as few as zero) could be drafted at the years end. Justin Jackson, J.P. Tokoto, Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks all project as second round picks for now, but they are all draft prospects for sure.

Overall, though, they are very similar teams. Louisville fans who watched the teams face off last year will see a very similar team this year for the Tar Heels.

3. Name a player outside Marcus Paige that the Cardinals should watch out for. Why?

I have to say J.P. Tokoto, just because of what he brings to the table in terms of excitement on the basketball court. Tokoto is by far UNC’s most explosive player and best dunker. He always seems to have one huge dunk per game, and is just a fun player to watch. He plays good defense, plays hard and is always a threat to appear on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays the next morning. Keep an eye on J.P. Tokoto tomorrow.

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4.These two teams met last year after Carolina had dropped some head scratching games and Carolina came away with the win. This year UNC has losses to Butler, Kentucky, Notre Dame and Iowa. None of those teams are like the UAB team of last year, but most of those you believe Carolina should win. Why do you believe UNC has been inconsistent so much this year? Will the inconsistency help or hurt Louisville?

Last year, UNC seemed to rise to the challenge of playing difficult opponents, beating the likes of Michigan State, Louisville and Kentucky, while failing to get up to lesser opponents like UAB and Texas. This year, Carolina has somewhat of the opposite problem. UNC has dominated inferior opponents like Clemson, William and Mary and even Florida and UCLA back in November, but just hasn’t gotten up for bigger games against Kentucky, Notre Dame and others. The Tar Heels get a pass against Kentucky, but especially for Notre Dame and Iowa, two home losses for Carolina this season, the lack of effort at home is inexcusable and perplexing.

I don’t think anybody knows why UNC has been this inconsistent, not even Roy Williams, or he would have fixed that issue by now. But the inconsistency probably hurts Louisville, because the Heels are going to give the Cards their best shot this weekend.

5. Finally. How do you see this game going this Saturday? Will it be a repeat of last year or will Louisville get a big road win?

If I’m forced to make a pick, I’m picking Louisville. I don’t really believe in this Tar Heel team and don’t think they can win big games, even at home. Louisville’s defense is going to shut down Carolina’s half court offense. The Heels have to really push the ball in transition and get easy baskets there, but that strategy also plays into the hands of Louisville’s strengths. I think Louisville wins easily by double digits and never has any trouble with the Tar Heels.

Looks like even some of the Tar Heel faithful are taking the Cardinals this weekend. I want to thank @KeepingItHeel for taking the time to answer our questions this week. Check out keepingitheel.com for all the information on the North Carolina Tar Heels!

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