UK vs. UNC Preview

Tomorrow marks the first test for Cal and his Cats. While UK has been down to the wire in a couple of games (and won thanks to Blue Jesus), they have yet to see a team that will match their athleticism as well as North Carolina will.

I've been hearing that there will be NBA scouts attending this game from 20 or more NBA franchises. My question is, what else are the other 12 doing? And you wonder why you continually suck Clippers. Between Wall, Patterson, Cousins, Ed Davis, Deon Thompson, and John Henson this game could comprise over 15% of next year's NBA Draft 1st round. Just think about that for a second. I haven't actually counted, but I think the number of All-Americans in this game is roughly 62.

The history of these teams has been beaten to death all week so I won't bore you there. If you don't know that they have a combined 12 national titles, and are #1 & #2 in all time wins (with the Cats being #1 of course) then you will need a whole lot more than this article to bring you up to speed.

The rivalry was renewed in 2000 and UK won the first 4 matchups. Since, the Tar Heels have won five straight including last years a$$ whopping in Carolina. This year should be the most even match-up to date. With that lets dive into what each team brings to the table.

Big Boys down low: UNC's front court is the best in the country. There I said it. Davis, Thompson, Zoeller, Henson, and the Wear twins have more depth and pure talent than any group of big men in the NCAA. That being said, if there is a group fit to handle them it is UK's. UK will primarily rotate their three big horses: Patterson, Cousins, and Orton. We may see Stevenson or Harrelson if Cousins gets in foul trouble. I single out Cousins because Patterson is too smart and Orton doesn't get the minutes for this to be an issue for either of them. Bottom line is Cousins needs to play 26-30 minutes. And he needs to play them well.
Edge: UNC

Guards: UNC's stable of Marcus Ginyard, Larry Drew, and Will Graves are solid. They play good fundamental basketball and can hit the open jumper. They are not in the class of John Wall. Or Eric Bledsoe. If Bledsoe plays with his head on straight, and under control the UK guards should be unstoppable. Dodson and Miller need to hit the open shots when they get them. And they will get a lot of them. John Wall will be John Wall, and maybe even a more aggressive, better John Wall (if that is possible). The North Carolina product, despite what he says, should have plenty of motivation going against the coach that didn't bother recruiting him. Swing and a miss on that one Roy.
Edge: UK

Bench/Intangibles: Almost every player on UNC's roster was a top 50 recruit, and most were All-Americans. All but 5 have NCAA championship rings. While the UK subs play with every bit of heart they have, and do run out a defensive stopper in Ramon Harris, they are simply not the types of players the UNC back-ups are. The good thing for UK is they are at home. I expect to see Rupp louder than ever. I was at the UK/Florida game last season when Meeks hit the game winning 3 only to see Nick Calathes get fouled and have three free throws to win the game. The fans were so loud, I swear the basket had to be shaking. You could not hear the person standing next to you. I expect this from tip off until the final buzzer.
Edge: Tie

Coaching: While Cal and Roy are 2 of the best 4 coaches in the country (Bill Self and Tom Izzo being the other 2) until Cal wins a title the coaching edge will go to Cry Baby, ahem, Roy Williams.

Prediction: UK is favored by 5 points. I attribute that margin to the game being played in Rupp, and feel that it is just about right. The difference between Wall/Bledsoe and the UNC guards is just way too wide for UNC to overcome. As long as the big men deliver a solid and smart performance UK should win this game. Patterson goes for 18 and 9, Cousins gets 14 and 12, and Wall has 22 with 5 rebounds and 9 assists.

UK 79 UNC 72

GO CATS!!!

One more thing.. for those of you who need a little extra spice for the game tomorrow. Go to YouTube and search "John Wall dunk on Jerry Stackhouse." You will not be disappointed.

Brian "John Wall vs. a hurricane? What if it is Hurricane Wall?" Reinhart