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

2. Be Wary of Matisse Thybulle and Co.

Many members of the media, as well as plenty of average die-hard fans who always have something to say, generally argue that zone defenses are “lazy” and uncreative, used by coaches and teams that are unable to play man-to-man at a respectable level and thus default to a lesser form that requires players picking their spots and standing pat.

Zone detractors haven’t seen Washington play defense, then.

Mike Hopkins’ Huskies rank as one the best teams when it comes to ending opposing possessions, blocking opponents (16.4 BLK%, fourth nationally) and stealing the ball (13.4 STL%, second nationally) at a rate that leaves offensive players skittish and hesitant to make even the simplest of moves when they have the ball.

Senior wing Matisse Thybulle is the catalyst of this defensive attack, constantly swarming ball-handlers, intercepting passes and swooping in to block shots in such dazzling fashion that has helped his name enter first-round territory for this year’s NBA Draft. The 6-6 wing averages 3.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game, with his steal (6.7 STL%) and block (8.2 BLK%) rates leaving the nation’s best defenders in the dust (he ranks first in steals per game and steal percentage). Three other Huskies average a steal or better per game, giving UNC quite the formidable opponent.

UNC will need its ball-handlers to play it smart. Don’t make the lazy passes that have often led to the ire of Tar Heel fans online and Roy Williams on the court. UNC has done a better job collectively taking care of the ball as of late, averaging less than 10 turnovers over the last five games. Against Washington, the likes of Coby White (4.2 assists, 2.7 turnovers), Kenny Williams (3.6 assists, 1.5 turnovers) and Seventh Woods (2.2 assists, 1.5 turnovers) will need to play better than they have all season, with the Huskies being the wrong team to play lazy offense against.