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Auburn vs. North Carolina: Key storylines in the Sweet 16 matchup

By Rudi Richards

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 09: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the second half of their game against the Miami Hurricanes at Dean Smith Center on February 9, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. UNC won 88-85 in OT. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 09: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the second half of their game against the Miami Hurricanes at Dean Smith Center on February 9, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. UNC won 88-85 in OT. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after dunking the ball against the Washington Huskies during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after dunking the ball against the Washington Huskies during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. UNC’s hot-handed freshmen

For anybody that follows college basketball closely, the talent that UNC has will be obvious. As one of the most dominant programs in the NCAA over its history, the Heels have always recruited extremely well. This year was no different.

Throughout the season, senior Cameron Johnson has been their most effective player. Put together with another senior, the prolific Luke Maye and many other older players such as Kenny Williams, this roster’s backbone is extremely strong. However, it’s the freshman duo of Coby White and Nassir Little who’ve been making an abundance of noise in the tournament, thus far.

In UNC’s opening game of the tournament, against Iona, the first year duo combined for 29 points – Little contributing 19 of these, off of the bench. Little was able to carry his form into the second round, as he scored 20 points in UNC’s defeat of No.9 Washington. White shot 4-7 from three-point land, as he showed his hot-streak, scoring 17 points.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see these two young stars going early on in this years NBA draft. Since the start of the year, Little’s stock has fallen as he didn’t have the regular season many tipped him to have – however, he’s shown that he can perform when the spotlight is on him and definitely looks like an NBA-ready talent. As far as White is concerned, he didn’t start the season as a clear draft prospect. He’s flourished in Roy Williams’ team this year, with emphasis on the stretch. Both players will certainly have draft aspirations, and could both potentially go as high up as the lottery, so keep an eye on them.

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