The North Carolina men’s basketball team will face Indiana in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history — losing the previous two contests in 1981 and 1984.
The most recent game was a 72-68 Hoosiers win in the Sweet 16 in Michael Jordan’s final game as a Tar Heel.
This season, UNC seniors Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson — whose jerseys will hang in the Smith Center rafters when their collegiate careers conclude — hope this Sweet 16 showdown against Indiana won’t be their final time in a UNC uniform.
The Tar Heels have lived up to their No. 1 seed with dominant showings in their past two games. But the Hoosiers are no ordinary No. 5 seed, as senior star Yogi Ferrell spearheads a dangerous Indiana offense featuring potent 3-point shooters.
Here’s our breakdown of the game, which tips off at 9:57 p.m. on Friday.
POINT GUARD
For as consistent as Berry has played this season, Ferrell is among the top point guards in the country. The senior — who is one of the most prolific players in Indiana history — is the heart and soul of the Hoosiers’ efficient offensive attack.
Joel Berry
12.8 PPG
3.4 RPG
3.4 APG
Yogi Ferrell
17.1 PPG
3.8 RPG
5.6 APG
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Paige’s struggles shooting the ball this season have been well documented, but the senior could arguably be the best player on the court at any given time. Zeisloft — who has started seven games this season — simply can’t match Paige’s pedigree.
Marcus Paige
12.0 PPG
2.5 RPG
3.7 APG
Nick Zeisloft
6.7 PPG
1.6 RPG
0.9 APG
EDGE: NORTH CAROLINA
SMALL FORWARD
In the closest matchup among the positional battles, Williams wins the showdown between two inconsistent small forwards. Jackson has played assertively as of late, but if Williams can curb his turnover woes, the junior could prove crucial for Indiana.
Justin Jackson
12.1 PPG
3.9 RPG
2.9 APG
Troy Williams
13.0 PPG
5.9 RPG
2.0 APG
EDGE: INDIANA
POWER FORWARD
Johnson has been a revelation for UNC this season. A first-team All-American, the senior forward will likely be the most dominant force on the court. Even a combo of Hartman and resurgent first-year OG Anunoby will struggle to keep up.
Brice Johnson
16.8 PPG
10.5 RPG
1.5 APG
Collin Hartman
4.9 PPG
3.1 RPG
1.7 APG
EDGE: NORTH CAROLINA
CENTER
Bryant — Indiana’s highly efficient big man — has parlayed an impressive regular season into tournament success as the Hoosiers’ second-most reliable player. Meeks, however, has seen his minutes decline as UNC turns to a smaller lineup.
Kennedy Meeks
9.0 PPG
5.8 RPG
1.1 APG
Thomas Bryant
11.9 PPG
5.7 RPG
0.9 APG
EDGE: INDIANA
SIXTH MAN
Despite starting for most of the season, injury woes have relegated Johnson to a bench role — and the sophomore is a game-time decision for Friday. Hicks, the ACC Sixth Man of the Year, has energized the Tar Heels late in the season.
Isaiah Hicks
9.4 PPG
4.8 RPG
0.8 APG
Robert Johnson
8.1 PPG
3.3 RPG
3.1 APG
EDGE: NORTH CAROLINA
COACHING
Tom Crean has revived a struggling Indiana program and returned them to national relevance. Yet Williams, a two-time national champion, is one of the most decorated coaches in NCAA history and has a wealth of tournament experience.
