The Rematch

When looking at Kentucky vs. North Carolina it's easy to look at the game from December 4th as a starting point.  UNC won 75-73 in a game that saw Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones, Josh Harrellson, and Eloy Vargas foul out.  North Carolina won with their bigs by going down low and getting ever big body Kentucky had in foul trouble.  Zeller is 7 foot, Henson 6-10, and Barnes 6-8.  Kentucky is going to match up with Harrellson at 6-10, Jones 6-8, and Miller 6-7. 

Both teams have grown by leaps and bounds since December.  Larry Drew left UNC and Kendall Marshall stepped up and made everyone around him better.  Harrison Barnes went from a kid everyone was saying was overrated to a probable lottery pick.  Kentucky has also found their rhythm and more importantly found how to win close games.  The progression of Josh Harrellson should also help contain Zeller who had 27 points and 11 rebounds while hitting 11 of 12 free throws. 

So far, the Wildcats have played Vanderbilt, Florida, Ole Miss and Alabama twice. The Wildcats lost to all of the teams the first time and then went on to win the revenge matchup.  It's going to be another dog fight, but that's something Kentucky is getting used to in this tournament.  I think Kentucky pulls it out again and continues revenge week against Connecticut. And if you're looking farther ahead Calipari might have a chance for revenge against Kansas. 


Prediction:  Kentucky 67  North Carolina 64