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NCAA Tournament 2019: Tre Jones and Coby White among key players in Sweet 16

By Jake Copestick

BLACKSBURG, VA - FEBRUARY 26: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils defends against Wabissa Bede #3 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Cassell Coliseum on February 26, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - FEBRUARY 26: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils defends against Wabissa Bede #3 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Cassell Coliseum on February 26, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 20: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 20: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

#1 North Carolina vs #5 Auburn

North Carolina Tar Heels – Coby White

Seniors Cameron Johnson and Luke Maye are the primary leaders for Roy Williams’ Tar Heels, but Freshman Coby White has emerged as a key contributor for UNC. White is the second leading scorer on the team, and has clearly earned Roy Williams’ trust, as White plays as many minutes as Carolina’s more experienced players.

White’s play at point guard on the offensive end, as well as playing defense on Auburn’s second-leading scorer Jared Harper, is UNC’s key to getting one step closer to the Final Four. White plays a little reckless at times, but his shooting and key matchup will hold a lot of weight with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line.

Auburn Tigers – The Three Point Shot

Just to be clear, there are plenty of players that could be put here. However, when Auburn is hot from three-point land, they’re as good as anyone. In the regular season, Auburn made over 11 threes a game, and led the nation in three pointers made with 381 made triples. Bruce Pearl’s team swept their season series with Tennessee because of their ability to hit outside shots, as they hit 28 triples in their two contests.

Auburn has four players that shoot at least 38 percent from three, and should have open looks against a North Carolina team that gives up the 209th most points in America. If Jared Harper, Bryce Brown, and Samir Doughty can hit their shots, they’ll be moving on.

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