Greatest College Basketball Program Tournament Quarterfinal: UNC vs Indiana

Historic match ups are going to start coming in bunches in this tournament.  The Tar Heels (which ESPN just titled the College Program that has the best pedigree for turning out the best NBA players since 1989, which was the beginning of the modern draft era) are a school with loads of talent that has translated to the next level.  Indiana, not so much.  Let's take another look at the teams in this match up for those of you keeping score at home:

UNC: Phil Ford, James Worthy, Michael Jordan, Tyler Hansbrough, Lennie Rosenbluth

Indiana: Indiana: Isaiah Thomas, Scott May, Steve Alford, Calbert Cheaney, Alan Henderson

Ford and Thomas would be a dream match up.  Imagine Sean May on the Heels roster guarding his dad.  There is a lot of potential here.

After the UCLA upset, Carolina is the highest seed remaining in the field, but this Indiana team has the chops to take them down.  Let's look at the game!

This guy is playing...

This guy!

Indiana has an advantage on the inside as May and Henderson have the size on Hansbrough and Worthy. Is it enough to cause an issue?

I think not.  Here is how I see the game playing out...

The first half is a lot of back and forth with Alford's shooting keeping the Hoosiers in the game and keeping the Heels, on the shoulders of Jordan and Rosenbluth, from pulling away.  Heels lead 38-33 at the half.

The second half becomes a different story.  As the Heels turn up the physical play and the defensive intensity,  Indiana gets frustrated and hurt.  Hansbrough outworks May inside, Jordan keeps Alford off balance, and Ford frustrates Thomas into a couple costly turnovers.  In the end, too much Worthy and Jordan.

UNC 84, Indiana 71

-Matt