North Carolina takes on UNLV to open the 2020 Maui Invitational Tournament. Which team will move on to the semifinals?
TV Schedule: Nov. 30th, 7 pm ET, ESPN 2
Arena: Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina
North Carolina (1-0) comes off a 79-60 win over Charleston and looks to rebound after an abysmal last season. The Tar Heels replaced Cole Anthony with numerous playmakers on offense.
Freshman Caleb Love, Day’Ron Sharp, and R.J. Davis all scored in double digits against Charleston. This comes with the bonus of the returners, senior Garrison Brooks who chipped in with 11 rebounds, and sophomore Armando Bacot who had 12 points of his own.
North Carolina looks to have multiple players that can fill up the bucket. They also had a great defensive showing against Charleston. They forced 15 turnovers and outrebounded the Cougars 49-34.
For UNLV (0-1) they are way past their glory days for the 90s. The Rebels were straight up just outclassed by Montana State. They were outscored 49-31 in the first half, with the final score being 91-78.
Junior Bryce Hamilton who had 27 and averaged 16 points a game last season had a good showing on Wednesday. UNLV also got a good output from Nicquel Blake and Calen Grill both scored in double digits. The Rebel’s defense is going to have to improve in this game if they going to beat Montana State. As they let the Bobcats shoot 55% from the field and 55% from three.
A big key to this game will be how UNLV deals with arguably the best frontcourt in the county in UNC. Garrison Brooks was an All-ACC player last season, while forwards Day’Ron Sharpe and Armando Bacot each reached double figures in the Charleston game. The Rebels only have one player in the rotation bigger than 6’8 (Cheikh Mbacke Diong), and will have to use small-ball lineups to try and create mismatches of their own.
I don’t expect this game to be even close. The Tar Heels just have too much talent for UNLV. The Rebels let Montana State score 90 against them. And I can say pretty confidently that the Tar Heels have a lot more weapons than Montana State.
Give me UNC in a blowout.