North Carolina Basketball: 3 keys for Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA

2. Control the tempo

North Carolina has always been a program that likes to get out and run, and that certainly hasn’t changed under Hubert Davis. The Tar Heels rank No. 31 nationally in adjusted tempo, per KenPom, while UCLA ranks No. 271. Usually, the team that plays the slower pace wins out in these battles, but Carolina has to find a way to push the pace with the speed of its backcourt in Caleb Love and R.J. Davis.

Davis in particular has been phenomenal over the last month of the season. Bacot and Manek have received most of the attention this season, and they’ve certainly earned it, but Davis’ emergence as one of the better point guards in the nation over the last month has taken UNC from a bubble team to the Sweet 16.

Davis dished out 12 assists against Marquette, nearly a program record in the NCAA Tournament. Against Baylor, he stepped up with 30 points and a couple of huge shots down the stretch.

Armando Bacot is also arguably at his best when North Carolina gets out in transition. As is usually the case with big men in Chapel Hill, Bacot knows how to run the floor and finish on the other end. He’s also an excellent outlet passer to kickstart fastbreak opportunities for the Tar Heels.

It’s also worth mentioning that UCLA’s second-leading scorer in Jaime Jaquez injured his ankle during Saturday’s win over Saint Mary’s. Jaquez has dealt with ankle injuries all season, but it seems like he’ll be available for Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup.

That said, he almost certainly won’t be at 100% even if he is active. If Mick Cronin decides to stick Jaquez on the court with a bad ankle then North Carolina has to respond by making him really run and guard on that ankle — something that would be a clear advantage for UNC.

Most North Carolina teams are at their best when they get out and run. This year’s team is no different. Make UCLA win in a track meet.