Game 31: North Carolina (ACC Semifinals)

Less than 24 hours after our win over Wake, we are back in action today (Why the #1 seed gets less than the #4 seed I will never know). This time playing the reigning ACC Champion North Carolina Tar Heels. Carolina had an easy win over Clemson (Thanks Georgia Tech) and should be more rested. They also know that they have won this thing so many times in a row that the pressure is all on the other team. Plus, they will have somewhat of a homecourt of advantage as the crowd will have a lot of light blue in it. I do hope the Dukies cheer for us just once.

Keys to the Game
- Rebound the ball. Carolina is outrebounding opponents by 4 per game. We outrebounded them by 13 the first time thanks to great games by Marissa, Dee and Lynetta. We will need the same effort today.
- Hound the ball handlers. Carolina loves to turn the ball over, but they can only do that if they are being pressured.
- Attack Breland. Get her in foul trouble and than opens up the lane a little more.
- Play at our pace, not Carolina pace. UNC loves to do everything fast, if we can slow the pace down to slightly under fast that would be great.
- Someone besides KT and Marissa will need to score. We got 10 and 12 from Lynetta and Dee respectively the first time. Need that again today.
- Don't let McCants get hot. If she makes her first couple she will continue to expand her range. she's not a great 3-pt shooter, but if she's feeling it the shots will fly.
- Hands up on the three-point shooters. UNC's guard are shorter than ours and we can't let them have open looks.