A position-by-position look at WSU and North Carolina
Guards
Washington State: Kyle Weaver and Derrick Low are familiar to Carolina’s Wayne Ellington. They practiced together as Pan-Am teammates last summer, so the Tar Heels won’t be surprised by WSU’s duo. The two, along with point guard Taylor Rochestie, need to control the pace. That means no quick shots, limit turnovers and get back on defense.
North Carolina: Since Ty Lawson has returned from a midseason ankle injury — he says he’s not 100 percent yet, but close enough — the Carolina fastbreak has returned to warp speed. Lawson may be the pilot (with 154 assists) but Ellington is the engine, as the sophomore averages 16.8 points and shoots 48 percent from the floor.
Forwards and centers
Washington State: How fast can Aron Baynes get down the court? UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough will try to find out. But even if the 6-foot-10, 270-pound Baynes wins the sprint back on defense, he know he’ll have his hands full. “It’s going to be tough,” the Australian said, “(because) he throws his body around a lot down there, kind of like a thrashing croc in the paint.” Baynes won’t be alone trying to corral Hansbrough, as 6-10 Robbie Cowgill will supply off-ball assistance.
North Carolina: Though the 6-9 Hansbrough is the center of attention, as a possible college player of the year who averages 22.8 points and 10.2 rebounds should be, 6-8 Deon Thompson supplies muscle (averaging 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds) and 6-5 Marcus Ginyard adds quickness (40 steals).
Bench
Washington State: The Cougar bench has gotten even shorter in the postseason, with only Daven Harmeling and Caleb Forrest seeing important minutes against Notre Dame. Those two will be called on again to spell Baynes and Cowgill, but it looks like Weaver, Low and Rochestie will have to play nearly 40 minutes once more. The longer NCAA timeouts have been a big help for WSU.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels go nine deep and substitute often. But it’s Danny Green (11 points and 5 rebounds a game) who is the first into the game — and who plays the most (22 minutes a game, more than Thompson). Quentin Thomas (105 assists) stepped up when Lawson was injured and is now a competent backup at the point.
Summary
A battle of wills, styles, philosophies, whatever. Today’s game will pit teams that have been successful playing different ways. The final Jeopardy question will revolve around who will get to play their type of game. The main problem WSU faces is North Carolina has had some success playing slower while the Cougars haven’t had much playing quicker. WSU must slow the game down to win.
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