North Carolina vs. Virginia: 3 keys to the ACC title game

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers and head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands before North Carolina's game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 27, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Cameron Johnson /

How Cam Johnson figures into this game

When these towo teams met on January 6, Johnson was just getting back into the fold, after dealing with an injury. He was coming off the bench to start things off, and it was a struggle at first. When he played the Cavaliers, he shot just 2/8 from the field.

But over the last nearly 20 games, Roy Williams decided to insert him into the starting lineup, with great results. He had a career-high 32 points against Clemson, and stepped up with 18 points and 13 rebounds in the home win over Duke the first time around.

What makes Johson such a unique is his spacing ability, which can affect a defense like Virginia that likes to close things up. With both him and Maye on the court, it’ll force Tony Bennett to make a decision. Does he stay big with Wilkins and Jack Salt, who is not much of an offensive threat? Or does he match the Tar Heels with De’Andre Hunter at the undersized forward spot?

Last time around, Johnson wasn’t 100% and fully comfortable with how to play with his new teammates. But the Pitt grad transfer has been a huge addition to the team, and gave a player for Maye to play along with at the four.

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