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

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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) /

2. UNC should turn Harvard over and put them on the line

Another key for North Carolina against the Crimson will be if they can play aggressive defense, forcing Harvard into turnovers and also force them to score points at the free throw line.

While the Tar Heels aren’t necessarily an elite team when it comes to forcing turnovers, having forced only 15.73 per game, which is 59th best in the sport and swiping the ball 7.9 times per game from their opponents, doing so against Harvard will give them another big advantage.

Williams’ team doesn’t have to be like Virginia or Texas Tech against Harvard because the Crimson is 342nd in the country in turnover margin at -4.6 and they cough the ball up and an average of 16 times per game, which puts them 324th nationally.

North Carolina should also not be afraid to Harvard on the free throw line because they shoot it at just 65%. On the whole, the Crimson get to the line just 15 per game and when they get there, they make just nine. Only two teams in Division I have attempted fewer free throws and only one has made less.

Because of this, the Tar Heels should play tight defense, even if it means Harvard has a parade to the free throw line.

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