'A bloodbath, a dogfight': Previewing UNC's second round matchup with Michigan State in men's NCAA tournament

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lackadaisical. That’s the word Seth Trimble used to describe UNC’s play at times in its first round win on Thursday against No. 16 seed Wagner. Careless turnovers. Failure to get out in transition. Defensive lapses. 

The Tar Heels beat Wagner, 90-62.

But the margin for error is closing. In fact, it’s probably already shut. And the Tar Heels know they can’t make the same mistakes if they hope to get past No. 9 seed Michigan State on Saturday and advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament.

“We've identified what allows us to have success, and that's [to] get after it defensively, rebound, and take care of the basketball,” head coach Hubert Davis said after the Wagner game. “I felt like in the first half, we had moments where we weren't checking any of those boxes, and that's something, as you continue to move forward and specifically against Michigan State, you just can't do that. You've got to be sound in all three of those areas.”

The Spartans advanced to the second round with a 69-51 victory over No. 8 seed Mississippi State. They shot 50 percent from the field and 43 percent from three, while holding the Bulldogs to just 37 percent shooting. Tyson Walker, the Spartans’ leading scorer, recorded a game-high 19 points. Head coach Tom Izzo said he feels his veteran team has underachieved this season, having lost several close games, but that it is still good enough to win in March and has played better as of late.

“Physical and well-coached teams,” Armando Bacot said about Michigan State’s brand of basketball. “They run their sets hard, and they defend at a high level.”

The Spartans’ attack is spearheaded by Walker — the only active Division I player with at least 2,000 points, 500 assists and 200 steals — and his backcourt mate A.J. Hoggard, who averages 10.9 points and 5.3 assists per game. 

“They’re experienced guards,” Cormac Ryan said. “They’ve been playing a long time. They’re a little different, but they’re both aggressive. They’re capable of making shots — midrange shots, 3-point shots.”

RJ Davis said pick-and-roll defense, communication and ball pressure will be the key to slowing them down. 

On the other end, Michigan State ranks sixth in defensive efficiency per KenPom. Ryan said the Spartans are disciplined in their defensive sets. They do a good job helping and protecting the paint.

Jae’Lyn Withers said the Tar Heels will need to attack the paint, get to the free throw line and get Michigan State’s bigs in foul trouble.

“They are going to be a lot more physical than a lot of teams that we’ve played this year,” he said. “It’s gonna be a bloodbath, a dogfight, pretty much from the tipoff to the final possession.”

Tomorrow’s game will likely come down to which team is tougher, which team wants it more. 

The Tar Heels believe they are ready. They will get the Spartans’ best shot.

“We haven't beaten them in the NCAA Tournament,” Izzo said. “But you know what, we're going to still show up. We're going to show up tomorrow, and we're going to see what we can do.”

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