North Carolina Basketball: 3 keys for the Tar Heels against Gonzaga

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 05: Kai Toews #10 of the North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks drives against Sterling Manley #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 05, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 97-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images /

3. Win the battle in the frontcourt

This will be one of senior forward Luke Maye’s biggest tests of the season as he faces off against Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura. Hachimura is averaging 22.2 points per game and is sure to be a hand full for Maye and the Tar Heels.

Alongside Hachimura, there’s also forward Brandon Clarke. He’s averaging 16.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest and has been a burden for opposing teams on the offensive glass. He’s averaging 3.7 offensive rebounds per game coming in and had six offensive rebounds in their loss to the Tennessee Volunteers last Sunday.

Maye won’t be the only one that’s being tested, either. While all eyes will be on Clarke, Tar Heels freshman forward Nassir Little should also be an X-factor off the bench.

Little is putting up 12.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 19.8 minutes per contest. While many feel like he should be starting, his 3-point shooting is still something that’s been holding him back a bit.

He’s currently shooting 5-of-19 (26.3 percent) from behind the arc this season. He’s still shooting 53.2 percent from the field though so it’s all a matter of taking the smarter shot in that regard. If he can have a big game, a victory could be on the horizon for North Carolina.

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