Maui Invitational Final Preview

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. North Carolina Tar Heels

Backcourt: The Irish backcourt is full of shooters with McAlarney, Jackson, and Ryan Ayers. These guys are not afraid to throw up threes and if they're on, ND is a very dangerous team offensively. Still, UNC has more guys that can not only shoot but create off the dribble, like Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and Ty Lawson. Lawson is as quick a PG as there is in the nation, he's a great passer with good court vision, and he's a leader. Ellington wasn't completely on his game vs. Oregon but he's possibly the most dangerous guy on that team. Green has really come on offensively this year and gives UNC another weapon. As good as ND's backcourt is, they really can't match the Tar Heels in terms of backcourt athleticism.

Advantage: UNC

Frontcourt: With a fully healthy Hansbrough, this clearly goes to UNC. However, since I'm unsure how many minutes he can give them, I'll give the cautious nod to ND. Harangody is an absolute monster in the post and he can hit that outside jumper too. As far as the other forward spot, both Deon Thompson and Zach Hillesland play more support roles but both can score occaisionally if neccessary

Advantage: ND

Bench: Definitely UNC, who has All-Americans backing up All-Americans, while ND played only 5 guys more than 11 minutes against Texas.

Advantage: UNC

Experience: Both teams are returning a lot of players, but I'll go with UNC who has been in higher pressure situations later in the tournament.

Advantage: UNC

Teamwork/Unity: ND moves the ball better than UNC, but that's also because UNC has better 1-on-1 players. I'll go with ND on this one though

Advantage: ND

Prediction: UNC 90-75. The Tar Heels have issues stopping Harangody in the first half, then focus all their defensive attention on him in the 2nd half. ND's guards are unable to consistently make threes and UNC pulls away late on the back of Ellington and Green offensively