UNC to face Georgia Tech in a possible “trap” game
North Carolina takes their undefeated record (17-0, 2-0 ACC) and number one standing in the nation on the road against Georgia Tech (7-8, 0-2 ACC) tonight at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta, GA (9:00 PM EST on ESPN). Looking at the records of the two teams, this game shouldn’t be much of a problem for UNC. Looking at the talent shouldn’t worry anyone that wears Carolina Blue, but the reality is something else. This is the ACC and it’s a road game for the Heels, so all the rules go out the window and this becomes a game that UNC will have to focus on in order to win. Let’s remember that UNC has not won in Atlanta since 2001.
For me, the key to this game is pretty simple. If the Heels play the same way they did against N.C. State in the first half then it will be no contest by the end of the half. If, instead, the team lowers its defensive strangle, this game might be more of a game than a lot of the fan base might expect. From what I can see, the Vegas line for this game is in the double digits (10.5) in favor of the Heels and I can see why, the undefeated giant against the faltering Jackets. My take on this is a bit different from the line. If the Heels take control of the game early on and make it into their “own game” the spread could be 25-30 points when it’s all said and done. If, instead, Georgia Tech sticks around and begins to believe in this game, the margin of victory could easily be in the single digits and the win could be a lot harder than predicted.
One thing that the Yellow Jackets have going for them is maturity. They’re an older club with senior guard Anthony Morrow (15.0 pts, 46.8% from 3 point), senior forward Jeremis Smith (9.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and junior guard Lewis Clinch (12.9 pts, 39.0% from 3 point) leading the way. As for the one number I always look at (minutes per games), only four players are over 20 minutes per game, with 10 players averaging double digit minutes. To me that means the Yellow Jackets have no problem playing deep into their rotation.
The more I look at this game, the more I believe that UNC must take care of this game early on. A long rotation for the Jackets could nullify the speed of North Carolina late in the game. Their many players can bang up against the big men of UNC and the senior led team can believe more and more if they stay close. This is a trap game for me and it has to be treated as such if the Heels want to come home from Atlanta with a “W” and their undefeated status. I think tonight it’ll be time for Tyler Hansbrough to give another great performance down low. In the end, the score will favor North Carolina 92 to 74.
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