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NCAA Basketball: 2018 Las Vegas Initational preview and predictions

By Austin Walther

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 18: Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs down court against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 18, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 18: Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs down court against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 18, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches his team play against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles during the first half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 16, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches his team play against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles during the first half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 16, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Participants in the Las Vegas Invitational

No. 7 North Carolina Tar Heels (5-0)

The North Carolina Tar Heels have had an easy road heading into the Las Vegas Invitational. They did go on the road to start the season which looks nice. UNC took care of Wofford with all the new surrounding that game after the big upset last season. Stanford was the toughest opponent, but the Heels rolled. North Carolina put up 100 in three out of five games and haven’t allowed more than 76 in a game yet.

Luke Maye was on just about every preseason list possible. He was the favorite by some to win Player of the Year. He isn’t quite averaging a double-double, but he’s almost at 15 points and eight rebounds per game.  His outside shot hasn’t been falling, but Cameron Johnson is making up for that. He has a nice shot from deep. Kenny Williams, the third veteran, has been the point guard this year. The assists are up, but he’s struggling putting the ball in the hoop.

Nassir Little is not disappointing. He’s actually coming off the bench right now. Little was a McDonald’s All-American and living up to that title with 13 points per game and five boards while shooting over 60 percent from the field. Coby White is in the starting lineup and is also in double-figures while contributing from deep, as a passer, rebounder and as a defender. The bench is still terrific for North Carolina which will help in the Las Vegas Invitational.

Texas Longhorns (4-0)

Texas in the only unranked team and history is on their side. Unranked teams do the best in the Las Vegas invitational. But normally the field isn’t this good. Texas is coached by Shaka Smart is one of three head coaches in the Las Vegas Invitational to have led a team to the final four. It’s been a work in progress since coming to Texas. He does have two NCAA Tournament appearances in three seasons.

The Longhorns have seen three cupcakes and a decent Arkansas team in their second game of the season. They actually went to overtime with the Razorbacks and picked up a neutral site win. Things are starting to turnaround for the Longhorns as they prepare to do battle in Vegas with some blue bloods of college basketball.

Texas only has two guys in double-figures this season. Dylan Osetkowski is averaging over 11 points per game and almost 10 boards. His last three games have resulted in double-doubles. Kerwin Roach Jr. is the star. He missed the first game, but has averaged over 15 points per game, over three assists, six boards and eight made three-pointers on the season.

They’re hoping to get Matt Coleman and Jericho Sims more involved in the scoring department. Both guys are talented guys waiting to explode and possibly help lead Texas to a Vegas Title.

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