Matchup: #12 North Carolina (18-6, 8-3 ACC)
vs
Pittsburgh Panthers (16-9, 5-6 ACC)
Date/Time: Saturday, February 14, 2015 @ 12:00pm EST
Location: Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA
TV/Radio: ACC Network or ESPN3 / Tar Heel Sports Network
After a long, solemn week in Chapel Hill, following the passing of legendary Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith, North Carolina returns to the court in its second of three straight road games as it battles the Pittsburgh Panthers. Carolina will be visiting the Panthers for the first time in 20 years and the first-time ever in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. The Tar Heels (18-6, 8-3 ACC) are seeking their fifth road victory in conference play and look to break a three-way tie for third place in the league (Dook and Louisville also sit at 8-3). Pittsburgh (16-9, 5-6 ACC) finds itself in the midst of three straight games versus opponents within the Top 10 in RPI and seeking a huge home win that could go a long way in solidifying its NCAA Tournaments aspirations. Pitt has won three of its last four games and has won three straight home games in the Petersen Events Center (12-2 home record). The 12th-ranked Tar Heels will be Pitt's fifth opponent this season that is nationally ranked. Last year, Pitt's first year in the ACC, these squads split their two contests. UNC defeated Pitt 75-71 in the Dean Dome last February, but it was the Panthers gaining revenge with an 80-75 win over the Heels in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals in Greensboro.
Just to get back to playing basketball is somewhat of a relief for the Heels, especially Coach Roy Williams. The past week has dealt quite a blow to the Carolina family and all that were touched by the life and legacy of Dean Smith. All of the current UNC players were about 1- or 2-years-old when Coach Smith decided to retire from the world of coaching in 1997; however, there is not a practice or meeting that goes by that Coach Williams doesn't mention Coach Smith's name or the way he went about something. So, in that way, even the players can feel the sting on the university, the community, and the team which will be an emotion hard to shake. But, with that said, it's going to be a real good thing to get back to playing ball.
"There's no question there will be a great deal of relief, especially if we play well," Coach Williams said. "It will be a welcome relief to focus a lot more on that than it has been the last four or five days. But again, I don't want anybody to act like this is woe is me." Williams continued by saying, "I've been very blessed to have Coach Smith in my life and be involved with him and I wish there was some way I could have honored him 24 hours a day every single day. But, there is still a basketball season to play."
And, play on the Heels will.
Carolina looks to build upon its 79-68 handling of the Boston College Eagles last Saturday where Isaiah Hicks and Brice Johnson decimated the opponent in the paint and proved, once again, that the Carolina post attack is a formidable obstacle to overcome. Hicks scored a career-high 21 points in that Tar Heel win and it came on a night when Coach Williams shook up his starting lineup. Hicks got the nod in the starting five over Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah responded by hustling, showing grit, and being strong around the rim. Isaiah's emergence in the post has Ol' Roy smiling and the Heels should bring that same toughness downlow against the Panthers in order to make an early statement. Meeks, who still averages 12.3 ppg/7.8 rbg, has seemed quite sluggish the last few games and it will be interesting to see how he responds to being outplayed by Hicks. During the Syracuse game, Meeks had a fever, but the games versus UVA and BC, he was healthy though not up to par of his usual standards. If Kennedy tackles the cut in minutes with more positive vibes and stronger work ethic during the games, the Tar Heels could mold together a three-headed monster in the paint that could be just the right formula for a deep run in postseason play. We'll have to see how it all unfolds.
Marcus Paige and the rest of the Heels' offense should be salivating at a chance to thrash the porous Pitt defense. The Panthers are last in the ACC in defensive efficiency, effective FG% defense, and 3-point percentage defense. Given that Carolina is shooting 46.9% from the field this season (and an even better 48.1% from the field in conference games), that has to put quite a scare into Jamie Dixon's club. Paige is averaging 14.2 ppg and is hitting almost 40% from beyond the arc. His 59 made 3-pointers rank in the upper echelon of the ACC. The Panthers' defense has shown no real reason to believe that Carolina cannot have another great shooting performance. Opponents shoot almost 45% from the field against Pitt so defense is not one of their strong suits. Pitt's best perimeter defender, Cameron Wright, has been hampered by an ankle injury and is a game-time decision after missing the last game in a loss to Louisville.
On the flip side of things, offensively is where the Panthers have shined so far this season. With Top 40 rankings in the nation coming from Pitt's offensive efficiency and offensive rebounding percentage, the Panthers are incredibly gifted in the putting the ball in the hole. It ranks 12th in the country in 2-pt FG percentage and is led by a potent sophomore tandem, Michael Young and Jamel Artis. Young averages 13.3 ppg and is an excellent offensive rebounder, doubling the next closest teammate in that category (90 offensive boards). Young also makes over 50% of his 2-pt FGs and hits almost 70% of his free throw attempts. Artis, last week's ACC Player of the Week, has led the Panthers in scoring in seven of the last eight games averaging 20.3 ppg during this stretch (five of those games were 20-plus point performances). Artis is a great shooter from the line (about 80%) but it's his ability to step outside and drain a deep three that really opens up his game.
Another bright spot for the Panthers this season has been the capability to protect the basketball and not turn it over. Carolina could learn a lot from the Panthers in this aspect of the game. Pitt is only turning it over on an average of 9.96 times a game compared to the Tar Heels' 13.2 miscues a contest. Pitt's knack for holding onto the ball and making crisp passes within a slower-style offense has kept the Panthers in most of their conference games. Look for Pitt to try to slow down the Heels and work the ball around for the best shot. Carolina will need to speed up the tempo and make Pittsburgh rush some shots. If the Heels can control the tempo and limit their own turnovers, the Panthers will find it hard-pressed to come out as the victor in this one.
UNC has lost another player to injury, and this one is season-ending. Senior Desmond Hubert tore his ACL last week before the BC game and will not return to action. Hubert was called upon on many occasions this season when the Heels needed a defensive stop and he produced (most notably the Louisville game), but his impact goes well beyond the court.
"The other thing you think about is just him as an individual," said Coach Williams. "You go through four years and you play a little and you play a little more, and then not play as much and the ups and down of the body and the aches and pains and then bang. Your playing career as a college player is over with. And I think about him and what goes through his mind right now more than how that is affecting our team."
The Tar Heels will lift Desmond up with support just as they have with the string of injuries to the other teammates this season. And, in turn, just as Theo Pinson, Joel Berry, Luke Davis, Stillman White, and others have done this year, Hubert will use his enthusiasm and dedication to Carolina basketball to fuel the sidelines with high energy and emotion. Berry continues to regain his playing form but Coach Williams admits he's not back to game shape quite yet, but will definitely get some minutes Saturday.
UNC leads the all-time series with Pitt, 8-2. The Panthers claimed the first ever meeting between the schools in 1941 and, as mentioned earlier, the last matchup in the 2014 ACC Tournament. The Heels won all eight games in between, including all three games that have been played in Pittsburgh.
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