By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
Perhaps some of the eagerly anticipated 11-seed First 4 video games awaits the Aztecs tonight in Dayton.
And it has all the things to do with San Diego State’s opponent.
North Carolina’s choice into the sector of 68 is being scrutinized greater than some other crew arguably in historical past.
Thanks largely to a few of their bubble mates who acquired snubbed—most notably West Virginia—many are questioning UNC’s inclusion after a down yr.
The most important query is whether or not the choice had something to do with Tar Heels AD Bubba Cunningham being the pinnacle of the NCAA choice committee.
One other crew feeling disenfranchised as one of many First 4 Out is Boise State.
The Broncos misplaced to Colorado State within the Mountain West title recreation, however they defeated SDSU by 10 final Friday.
So, this one units up as a matchup between a few groups with one thing to show.
No. 11 North Carolina vs No. 11 San Diego State
Tuesday, March 18
6:10 pm PT, truTV
Wanting to show doubters unsuitable isn’t the one commonality between the 2 squads.
Statistically talking, they’re a mirror picture of one another.
UNC shoots 54.9% on two-point FGs, and San Diego State performs equally effectively in defending the 2, permitting simply 45%, eighth within the nation.
Carolina shoots effectively from the ground, thirty fourth nationally at 47.6%, whereas the Aztecs lead the nation in FG protection at 38.1%.
UNC doesn’t rebound effectively offensively, rating 224th within the nation in offensive rebound price, whereas SDSU is 226th in defensive rebound price.
And there are a ton of different statistical comparisons that might point out this one may come right down to the ultimate possession.
A giant key to look at, and an space the place Carolina has an enormous benefit, is permitting putbacks.
UNC is getting 75% of defensive rebound possibilities this season, rating 54th within the nation. The Aztecs are 204th nationally in offensive rebound price at 27.2%.
Neither crew creates lots of further scoring possibilities per recreation in comparison with their opponents.
However San Diego State’s potential to get some second-chance alternatives in opposition to the Tar Heels may decide whether or not they transfer on to Milwaukee and a date with Ole Miss on Thursday.
writes about varied matters for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and data, faculty sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Heart (SERC).
