No. 10 North Carolina (4-2) vs Michigan St. (5-2)
Lahaina, HI – Lahaina Civic Center
Wednesday, Nov. 27 – 9:30 pm
TV: ESPN (Mute ‘em)
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network
UNC Tar Heels:
Cadeau #3 P = 100, E = 20, I = 20, X = 60
Davis #4 P = 15, E = 95, I = 0, X = 10
Trimble #7 P = 80, E = 5, I = 0, X = 0, X = 40
Withers #24 P = 90, E = 100, I = 35, X = 60
Washington #13 P = 5, E = 25, I = 25, X = 15, X = 10
Tyson #5 P = 100, E = 5, I = 0, X = 50
Jackson #11 P = 95, E = 75, I = 45, X = 70
Powell #9 P = 100, E = 0, I = 0, X = 50
Lubin #22 P = 60, E = 25, I = 0, X = 30
Claude #0 P = 20, E = 30, I = 60, X = 40
Brown #2 P = 100, E = 100, I = 10, X = 55
Coach Davis Wisdom = 55
MSU Spartans
0 Jaxon Kohler P = 15, E = 0, I = 80, X = 45
8 Frankie Fidler P = 20, E = 5, I = 50, X = 35
10 Syzmon Zapala P = 60, E = 100, I = 0, X = 30
1 Jeremy Fears P = 85, E =0, I = 55, X = 70
3 Jaden Akins P =55, E = 0, I = 0, X = 25
55 Coen Carr P = 50, E = 60, I = 95, X = 70
34 Xavier Booker P = 60, E = 0, I = 0, X = 30
15 Carson Cooper P = 0, E = 95, I = 80, X = 40
11 Jase Richardson P = 20, E = 80, I = 20, X = 20
5 Tre Holloman P = 50, E = 40, I = 75, X = 60
Coach Izzo Wisdom = 10
Look-In: Tom Izzo plays two Portal ‘Gets’ (Fidler & Zapala). The rest are young men who chose MSU and have stuck with it. Not sure what that says and there are all sorts of ‘spins’ that could be applied. As for the game - at this point we’re - all of us - engaged in an endurance contest. The Spartans are led by Spartan Senior Jaden Akins (6-4, 13 ppg, 6 rpg) and #11 freshman bench man Jase Richardson (6-3, 11 ppg). Bigs are journeyman (Utah St/Longwood) Szymon Zapala (7-1) and Twin Towers Xavier Booker and Carson Cooper. Combined this trio averages 15 ppg and 11 rpg. Jeremy Fears is an Eagle-Eye Assists Guy (6 apg). Defense played ferociously is Izzo’s trademark.
Frontcourt: Washington’s ritmo woes continue but he’s rising. Lubin is strong. Brown looks the best by far though a zero Intel is worrisome. Claude appears to be in exile. Withers has the rhythms to stand out.
Wings: There is athleticism in Jackson and Powell. Tyson too.
Guards: R. J. Davis is still burning though running on empty with only an Emotion Arc to drive him. Cadeau has the physical as does Trimble.
Overall: This one is about Guts. No one has ever accused an Izzo team of lacking that. The Spartans look smart. Carolina has what it takes to win but figuring WHO can deliver at the end of this marathon is the challenge. Never bet against R.J. And look at the Young Wings. Lubin is tough.
The gamblers in Las Vegas say Carolina by 4.5. Ritmos - sigh - say closer. UNC by 3.