by Micah Hart
For the complete Bragging Rights rules and to vote for other matchups, click here. We now continue in the East region, with No. 2 seed UNC taking on The Cuse.
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North Carolina Tar Heels
Starters (all stats per 48 minutes):
Marvin Williams, Hawks: 16.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 blocks, 1.0 steals
Raymond Felton, Nuggets: 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 0.2 blocks, 2.2 steals
Tyler Hansbrough, Pacers: 24.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 blocks, 1.3 steals
Vince Carter, Suns: 23.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.5 steals
Ty Lawson, Nuggets: 20.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 0.1 blocks, 2.0 steals
Missed the cut: Ed Davis, Raptors; Wayne Ellington, Timberwolves; Brendan Haywood, Mavericks; Antawn Jamison, Cavaliers (injured); Brandan Wright, Nets
Team synopsis: With Jamison hurt, Hansbrough rides his recent hot streak into the starting lineup for the Tar Heels, which is a good thing for UNC because this team lacks an inside presence otherwise. Lawson and Felton take turns at the point in Denver, but share the backcourt here. Vinsanity may not be the force of nature he once was, but North Carolina will still need him to be the go-to scorer on this team.
Syracuse Orange
Starters (all stats per 48 minutes):
Wesley Johnson, Timberwolves: 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.3 steals
Hakim Warrick, Suns: 22.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.3 blocks, 1.1 steals
Carmelo Anthony, Knicks: 33.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.7 blocks, 1.1 steals
Jonny Flynn, Timberwolves: 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 0.1 blocks, 1.6 steals
Donte Greene, Kings: 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.6 steals
Missed the cut: Andy Rautins, Knicks; Etan Thomas, Hawks
Team synopsis: Carmelo carried Syracuse to the 2003 national title, and he’ll be needed to do some more of the same if the ‘Cuse wants bragging rights. The Orange are a better squad than the Wade-led Marquette team that was a 5-seed, but of the other starters on the team only Johnson has started the bulk of his team’s games this season, and that’s arguably by default.
All Ball’s take: With Vince in the later stages of his career, North Carolina doesn’t have any stars, but it does have plenty of solid NBA starters. ‘Melo will have to do some serious damage for the Syracuse team if they are to advance.
Results: ‘Melo took a rag-tag bunch of misfits to a title in 2003, but doesn’t have enough firepower here. UNC moves to the Elite Eight, 57%-43%.
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Catch up on every single game-winning buzzer beater during the season and see how it rates on the Horry Scale.
If MJ were still here NC tar heels would win 100% – 0%
If Kobe was here, there wouldnt even be a bracket. It would just say national champion: Kobe. not even the team name, just kobes name, ya hes that much better than MJ
true dat homeboy!
@ MJ obviously haha
mj needs to be counted for unc. he is the best to come out of college. (kobe and lebron came out of high school.) not the best ever to play in the nba in my opinoin, but one of the best
@Your Mom. bro it counts only current NBA players lol
Let’s go UNC! Vince Carter, best dunker ever!
Other than Melo and maybe Hakeem Warrick I dont really like the Cuse here. UNC would take this one
That is crazy Syracuse is obvious the better team Carmelo is better then all of them and no one on UNC is more then just a role player not a star.