North Carolina vs. Kentucky: 5 biggest storylines for 2020-21 showdown
1. Kentucky’s premier center will have his hands full with one of the best frontcourts in the country
If there is one thing that the Tar Heels have been known for this season, it has been their stellar frontcourt. Garrison Brooks and Armando Bacot have been deadly for North Carolina, averaging 11.7 and 11.2 points, respectively – as well as 7.7 and 8.8 rebounds.
Both are physical posts at 6-10 and 240 pounds, and Kentucky’s Olivier Sarr will have his hands full in containing both. At 7-0 and 237 pounds, Sarr has the physicality – but, as the only post who can be relied on to produce double-digits for the Wildcats, he will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet.
Neither Brooks nor Bacot shoot the three-ball – something the Tar Heels do not do well as a team whatsoever – but they have been stellar from the inside. Brooks did not have a great game against N.C. Central, just putting in five points on three shots – but the big man has shot 47.4% for the season, having put in 18 points against Texas and 17 over Iowa.
Bacot, meanwhile, has been incredible from the floor, shooting 76.7% (23-30) on FGs and 70.0% (21-30) from the charity stripe. He fouled out against Iowa after just contributing four points, but he also recorded double-digits in UNC’s other five games. Bacot is coming off a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double in UNC’s last outing against N.C. Central.
Sarr has shot the ball well for Kentucky, draining 55.6% of his attempts, but the big man has not been relied on in a majority of their games yet. He has taken six or fewer shots – and scored single-digits – in three of Kentucky’s games thus far. His two best showings have come against Richmond (17 points and 11 rebounds) and the most recent tilt against Notre Dame (22 points on 11-16 shooting).
This is all without mentioning UNC’s Day’Ron Sharpe, who has been an effective backup in the post, averaging 8.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Sarr will have his hands full, to say the least – and this is a game where the Tar Heels frontcourt could potentially feast over a shorthanded – and, after Sarr, inexperienced – frontcourt.