UNC Basketball: Keys for Tar Heels against Washington in Round of 32

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Rameses, the North Carolina Tar Heels mascot, is seen as they take on the Iona Gaels during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Garrison Brooks #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels heads for the net in the second half against the Iona Gaels at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

1. Rebound, Rebound, Rebound

A Carolina staple, superior offensive and defensive rebounding performances have led UNC to victory time and time again, often being one of the difference-makers in tight, competitive games. Against Iona on Friday, the Heels found solace on the glass, out-rebounding the smaller Gaels 52-26, paving the way for 25 second-chance points and easy looks around the basket.

More of the same could be needed against a Washington team that excels at ending opposing possessions via steals and blocks. Finding ways to create extra possession and extra chances to score will be crucial to keeping the pesky Huskies at bay on Sunday.

Similarly to the Gaels, the Huskies are one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the nation, allowing opponents to snag 34.7 percent (345th nationally per KenPom) of their own misses, a truly staggering number. Washington is somehow worse than the vertically-challenged Gaels in the rebounding department, ranking as a bottom-10 defensive rebounding unit despite having some size in the post and on the wing. Zone defensive schemes can often lead to players being out of position for rebounding chances, and perhaps this is a reason for such poor numbers.

Nonetheless, struggling on the glass is never a positive thing against one of the best rebounding teams in college basketball, giving UNC a huge weakness to take advantage of.

Home/North Carolina Tar Heels