The goal for most teams is to be playing their best basketball heading into the NCAA tournament. Building up momentum and getting prepared for a deep run through March Madness. The North Carolina Tar Heels look primed to return to the Final Four for the third time in the last four seasons. Despite a one-point loss in the ACC tournament semi-finals, Roy Williams‘ team is playing as well as anyone in the nation. They are the top seed in a tough Midwest Region, so they will need to be at their best to end up in Minneapolis at the Final Four.

North Carolina Tar Heels Look Primed For Final Four Run

Often in the NCAA tournament, match-ups and style of play can mean as much as talent level. This can give North Carolina an added advantage because they are both loaded with talent and play a style that is hard to prepare for. Coach Williams’ team plays fast and scores in bunches. The pace with which they attack the opposition, even after their made baskets, is difficult to grasp until you see it buzzing by for an easy lay-up. The Tar Heels tempo on offense often catches opponents off guard. They also have so many scoring options to turn to. Their 86 points and 19 assists per game both rank third in the country. The Tar Heels look primed for a deep tournament run because of their high powered and efficient offense.

Freshman Duo

Guard Coby White doesn’t garner the same attention as some other high profile freshmen do, but he has been as good as any first-year player in the country. He has been a consistent scorer all season, and he has also shared the wealth with a team-leading four assists a night. The North Carolina native has scored over 30 points three times this season and has hit five or more three-pointers in six contests. White is an explosive scorer whether attacking the rim in transition or pulling up from long range.

Forward Nassir Little was one of the top five recruits in the country last season. However, he comes off the bench for Coach Williams, just showing how deep this team is. He has been a steady contributor, with 16 games with double-digit points as the sixth man. Little could play a huge role if he is needed to provide a spark in a tight game during the tournament. The athletic 6’6″ wing definitely has the ability to make a serious impact when called upon.

One Last Ride

For seniors Luke Maye, Cameron Johnson and Kenny Williams, this is their last chance as tournament glory. Maye has been a constant force for the Tar Heels over the past two seasons, but he made his name in March as a seldom-used bench player. He became an instant hero when he made a buzzer-beater against Kentucky in 2017. That shot sent his team to the Final Four. Williams was also a role player on that eventual championship team. He has been a stalwart on defense all season and is the glue guy for this squad. His leadership, rebounding, and passing is crucial to North Carolina’s efficiency.

Senior wing Cam Johnson was not a part of the National Championship team two seasons ago. He is, however, a big reason the Tar Heels look primed to contend for a title over the next few weeks. The transfer from Pittsburgh has been excellent in his second season in Chapel Hill. He averages 17 points, shoots 51% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc. His ability to score on multiple levels makes him North Carolina’s go-to player. Johnson was notably upset after the loss in the ACC tournament. He stated that he had nothing but last years round of 32 defeat on his March Madness resume. Expect him to come out motivated to make his mark with a deep tournament run in his last chance.

Above Board

Williams’ teams have always been known for their impressive work on the glass. They rebound at a high rate and rank first in the country in boards per game. The Tar Heels attack the offensive glass as well as any team in the country. Maye averages 10.5 boards a night, and they have six other players averaging between 3.5 and 5.8 each game. Much like how they share the ball on offense, North Carolina rebounds as a team. Garrison Brooks gets 2.2 of his 5.6 boards a night on the offensive end, a big reason why he shoots 57% from the field.

Streaking Into Madness

Before the loss in the ACC tournament, North Carolina had won 15 of 16 games. They are playing as well as any team in the country, and have a track record of March success. The Tar Heels look primed to make a Final Four run for the third time in four years. Potential match-ups with the Kansas Jayhawks, the SEC tournament champion Auburn Tigers, or the Kentucky Wildcats will all be significant tests. However, North Carolina has the talent, pedigree and momentum to be ready to face them all.