Unc -13 Syracuse, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Texas would make a very reasonable Final Four projection. North Carolina has played all of them. This is not a vintage Heels outfit, but after losing so much and having such a challenging early schedule, they don't have a lot to be ashamed of. What they do have to be ashamed of is the suggestion that they didn't compete consistently hard in Dallas this weekend, which is what his veterans are saying. When Roy ain't happy his teams usually can put a number up on outclassed opposition.
Though they only have a single loss, Marshall falls into that category. The Thundering Herd's win over Ohio U is their lone victory over a Top 150 opponent. Their last 5 wins have come against Salem International, Binghampton, Troy, Brescia (a lemony-grapefruity Coca-Cola product, I beleive), and High Point. They'll probably be the 6th or 7th best team in Conference USA.
Though this UNC team isn't up to the level of past units, this is a big step down in class for them, and a big step up in class for a Marshall team that hasn't seen anything resembling this level of athleticism. Importantly, the Heels will be extraordinarily motivated tonight. They'll pound them inside and as long as the 3-point shooting isn't aberrational UNC should stretch out to a win in the high teens. If I'm wrong and the Tar Heels don't dominate tonight it's a bad sign for UNC, as this is usually a good spot for Williams-coached teams.
