UNC Basketball: Michigan State Game Thread

The North Carolina Tar Heels have knocked off the Portland Pilots and Arkansas Razorbacks to reach the championship game of the PK80 Victory bracket. With that comes a date with Miles Bridges and Michigan State. Can the Heels emerge still undefeated on the season?

Sparty comes into tonight ranked 4th in the nation despite already having a loss under their belt. Duke beat the Spartans in the Champions Classic. Bridges leads Tom Izzo’s team averaging 16 points and seven rebounds per game. Michigan State had to go through DePaul and UConn to reach tonight’s game.

Carolina has gotten outstanding performances up and down their lineup in the season to this point. Kenny Williams and Joel Berry II teamed up to destroy Stanford, Luke Maye has destroyed pretty much everyone, and Sterling Manley had his time to shine against Bucknell. The big men have not had an overly impressive stretch of games, and luckily they haven’t needed to, but their assistance tonight would be very appreciated.

Roy Williams comes into tonight a perfect 9-0 against Tom Izzo. Hopefully that moves to 10-0 by the time tonight’s game is done and dusted. Bridges has battled an ankle injury that limited him to just six points against the Huskies. However, Cassius Winston more than picked up Bridges’ slack on his way to a career-high 28 points in Sparty’s win.

With Maye emerging as a potential ACC Player of the Year with the run he’s on, and so many other options that can beat you in Carolina blue, the Tar Heels are a lot to contend with. If Bridges is off his game again tonight, UNC has to be able to take advantage.

We’ll be back after the game with the usual wrap up of all the happenings. Until then...

Go Heels!