Bragging Rights Bracket: East Regional Final

March 28, 2011  ·  9:54AM



by Micah Hart

For the complete Bragging Rights rules and to vote for other matchups, click here. In the Elite Eight, we go to an all-ACC battle for the East Region.

VS

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Starters (all stats per 48 minutes, through 3/27):

Chris Paul, Hornets: 21.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 13.0 assists, 0.1 blocks, 3.2 steals
Josh Howard, Wizards: 17.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 blocks, 1.5 steals
Tim Duncan, Spurs: 22.5 points, 15.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.3 blocks, 1.2 steals
Al-Farouq Aminu, Clippers: 15.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 blocks, 2.0 steals
James Johnson, Raptors: 16.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.8 blocks, 2.3 steals

Missed the cut: Darius Songaila, Sixers; Jeff Teague, Hawks; Ish Smith, Grizzlies

How they got here: Defeated Memphis in the Sweet 16, 68%-32%

Team synopsis: Wake Forest may not seem like much, but they do have the best point guard in the NBA and the greatest power forward of all time, which makes them pretty dangerous no matter who else is on the court. Howard may not be the All-Star he was in Dallas, but he can still be pretty dangerous. Aminu and Johnson are youngsters with talent who don’t get a ton of minutes, but their per-48 stats suggest that could change down the road.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Starters (all stats per 48 minutes, through 3/27):

Marvin Williams, Hawks: 17.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 blocks, 0.9 steals
Raymond Felton, Nuggets: 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 0.2 blocks, 2.2 steals
Tyler Hansbrough, Pacers: 24.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 blocks, 1.3 steals
Vince Carter, Suns: 23.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.5 blocks, 1.5 steals
Ty Lawson, Nuggets: 20.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 0.1 blocks, 1.9 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.

How they got here: Faced a tough matchup against a ‘Melo-led Syracuse squad in the Sweet 16, but the team effort was enough to advance 57%-43%.

All Ball’s take: A battle of ACC powers in the East regional final. Once again, the question seems to be, how far can Paul and Duncan take the Demon Deacons? Unlike Memphis, North Carolina has talent at all five spots on the court, and probably has the edge at three of the individual matchups. Wake Forest has a bit more size than UNC, but the Tar Heels have much more established scorers. This one could be tough.

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Category: Bragging Rights Bracket / Tags: , , , / Comments (1) /

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One Comment

  1. NDub says:
    March 30, 2011 at 11:03 am

    Paul Best Point
    Duncan Best Big
    Enough said

    Reply

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