It’s the final game of the season and these two teams have been neck and neck the entire way. Who will come out on top?
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The Case for Kansas
In college basketball, there are a few teams that always seem to be in the mix for the title. UNC and Kansas are two of those teams. Both have great programs and have produced some of the best players in the game. This year, however, Kansas has the edge. Here’s why.
The Jayhawks have more experience
The Jayhawks have more experience
In basketball, experience is often one of the biggest factors in who wins and loses. And when it comes to the NCAA tournament, that couldn’t be more true. The Jayhawks have plenty of it. They’ve been to the tournament 33 times and have won it five times. That includes two wins under current head coach Bill Self. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, are only making their 27th appearance and have only won it five times as well.
The Jayhawks are better at shooting
3-point shooting has become increasingly important in the modern game of basketball. The Jayhawks are better at shooting from beyond the arc, averaging 35.1% compared to UNC’s 34.4%. This may not seem like a big difference, but it could be the difference in a close game.
The Jayhawks have a deeper bench
The Jayhawks have a deeper bench and more tournament experience. They also have the best player in the tournament in Joel Embiid.
The Case for UNC
When looking at these two teams, it’s hard not to pick UNC. They have more talent, more experience, and they play in a tougher conference. Kansas has a great coach, but they just don’t have the same level of talent as UNC.
The Tar Heels are more athletic
In basketball, being athletic is important. Being able to jump higher and run faster gives players an advantage on the court, and the University of North Carolina has a lot of those kind of players. While Kansas does have some athletic players, UNC has more of them. This will give the Tar Heels an edge in the game.
Other things being equal, the team that is more athletic will usually win. That’s why UNC has a good chance of winning this game.
The Tar Heels have a better coach
recent history has shown that when it comes to the NCAA tournament, coaching matters. In the last 10 years, only four coaches have won multiple championships: John Calipari, Bill Self, Mike Krzyzewski, and Roy Williams. Of those four, Williams is the only one with more than two titles. In other words, if you want to win a championship, you need a great coach.
And in this year’s tournament, there is no coach better than Williams. He has won three championships with UNC, and he has been to the Final Four an astounding 12 times. He knows how to win in March, and he will have his team ready to play their best when it matters most.
Kansas may have a better record this season, but when it comes to coaching, UNC has the clear advantage. And that could be the difference in who wins this year’s tournament.
The Tar Heels are more disciplined
By almost any measure, this has been one of the most difficult seasons in recent memory for the North Carolina Tar Heels. Amidst injuries, player absences, and a general air of uncertainty, they have still managed to fight their way to the top of the ACC and earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Despite all of this, there are plenty of reasons to believe that North Carolina can make a run to the Final Four. One of the biggest reasons is that they are a more disciplined team than their counterparts.
In general, UNC has shown better poise and composure than their opponents throughout the season. They have been able to weather runs by other teams and come out on top more often than not. This is in large part due to the fact that they have an experienced core of players who have been through the ups and downs of college basketball before. Players like Luke Maye, Joel Berry II, and Kenny Williams know what it takes to win at this level, and they have been able to instill that sense of discipline in their teammates.
Another reason why UNC has an edge in this department is that they are simply a better defensive team. Discipline is crucial on defense, as it requires players to be in sync with each other and make sure everyone is on the same page. The Tar Heels have done a great job of this all season, as they currently rank second in the country in points allowed per game (60.4). They will need to be at their best defensively if they want to shut down Kansas’ high-powered offense in the Round of 32.
All things considered, it is clear that North Carolina has an advantage over Kansas when it comes to discipline. This could prove to be critical in deciding who wins this matchup and advances to the Sweet 16.
The Verdict
Both Kansas and UNC have strong basketball programs. They have both won multiple championships and have strong fan bases. However, when it comes down to it, who will win? Let’s take a look at each team’s strengths and weaknesses.
The Jayhawks are the better team
It’s no secret that the Jayhawks are the better team. They have more talent, more experience, and more depth. They also have the better coach. Bill Self is one of the best coaches in the country, and he has a proven track record of success in the NCAA tournament. The Jayhawks are also battle-tested, having played in some of the toughest conferences in the country.
The Tar Heels are a good team, but they’re not on the same level as the Jayhawks. They don’t have as much talent, they’re not as deep, and they don’t have a coach with Self’s resume. UNC is also coming into this game off of a disappointing loss to Duke in the ACC tournament, while Kansas is coming off of a dominant win over Texas in the Big 12 tournament.
In short, Kansas is the better team, and they should be able to win this game handily.
The Tar Heels are the more talented team
Carolina has been the more talented team all season. The Tar Heels have more McDonald’s All-Americans (5) than any other team in the country. They also have one of the most efficient offenses in the country, ranking 5th in offensive efficiency according to KenPom.com.
On the other side, Kansas does not have a single player on its roster that was a McDonald’s All-American. The Jayhawks do have one of the best defensive teams in the country, however, ranking 3rd in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.com.
In the end, I think UNC’s talent will be too much for Kansas to handle. The Tar Heels will win by double digits.
It’s a toss-up
The big game is finally here. After weeks of anticipation, the day has arrived. Who will be crowned the champion? Will it be the Jayhawks from Kansas? Or will it be the Tar Heels from North Carolina?
This is a tough one to call. Both teams are evenly matched and it is sure to be a close game. But in the end, there can only be one winner.
Who do you think will come out on top?
