ACC Tournament 2012: Breaking Down North Carolina State vs. North Carolina

The North Carolina Tar Heels are the big favorites in the 2012 ACC Tournament, and their semifinal matchup against in-state rival North Carolina State Wolfpack shouldn't be too difficult. 

Junior forward John Henson suffered a wrist injury, but the Tar Heels should be fine without him.

The two times the Tar Heels and the Wolfpack met this season, North Carolina won both with ease. 

That being said, let's take a look at some specifics of this ACC showdown. 

When: Saturday, March 10 at 1 p.m. ET 

Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Ga.

Watch: ACC Network/ESPN 

North Carolina State Player to Watch 

C.J. Leslie is the top player for the Wolfpack, and all eyes will be on him this Saturday. If North Carolina State wants to pull off the upset, Leslie has to be on his A-game plus some. 

He averages 14 points and seven rebounds, but in the last five games, he averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds. 

Leslie is putting the team on his back, making sure they're in a position for great success. The Wolfpack need him to perform at a really high level if they're going to shock everyone and upset the Tar Heels. 

North Carolina Player to Watch 

With John Henson unlikely to play (resting up is his best option), freshman James Michael McAdoo becomes the player to watch. 

He should take over for Henson in the lineup and play a significant amount of minutes. McAdoo scored 14 points against Maryland after Henson went down, and he'll need to keep playing with great intensity. 

If Henson's injury turns out to be really serious, McAddo will be a vital player not just in the rest of the ACC Tournament but all of the NCAA Tournament as well. As long as Kendall Marshall is dishing it out, though, McAdoo just needs to put it in the basket. 

Key Matchup 

Controlling the paint is the key for this game for the Wolfpack, as the Tar Heels great size advantage gives them the upper hand. 

If North Carolina State is able to work their inside game well, as well as prevent North Carolina from dominating on offense, the chances of pulling the upset are very good. 

Of course, that is easier said than done, because the Tar Heels are very good at crashing the boards, creating second-chance opportunities controlling the paint. 

Prediction 

The Wolfpack will be motivated and come out strong right from the start, but they will fade away as the game progresses because the Tar Heels will wear them down. 

North Carolina is a much better team, and they will get the job done in Atlanta to reach the ACC Tournament finals. 

North Carolina 77, North Carolina State 68