NCAA Bracket 2012: 5 Bold Predictions for North Carolina vs. Ohio

On paper, No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 13 Ohio should be the biggest blowout of the tournament.

That’s why they play the game.

The Tar Heels' do-everything point guard Kendall Marshall is “day-to-day” with a broken wrist and by all indications, he’ll be out. Marshall's 351 assists in 36 games are the most in ACC history.

It’s a huge deal and now the Tar Heels are much more vulnerable. Is it enough to lose? Here are five bold predictions for tonight’s game.

North Carolina Will Commit 20 Turnovers

Without Marshall, UNC will be reliant on a few unproven players to save the day.

Stilman White, a guy who averages 0.7 ppg, 0.6 apg in only 4.3 minutes a game, will now be the main man handling the ball. This is a recipe for disaster.

The Bobcats force 17.2 a game, which is fifth in the nation and best among teams still remaining in the tournament.

Tyler Zeller Will Struggle

Marshall really came on strong once ACC play got underway, and Zeller was one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Zeller had a whopping 43 percent of his field goals from Marshall passes because of his point guard’s ability to pass him the ball when he was in the perfect position to score.

Without his teammate, Zeller is going to be a non-factor.  

DJ Cooper Will Not Lead Ohio in Scoring

The sharp-shooting guard has been the catalyst for this surprise run because he is feasting on teams that give him even an inch of space on the perimeter.

With five days to plan, I expect Reggie Bullock to lock him down and force Cooper to pass the ball to the other perimeter threats the Bobcats own.

North Carolina Will Score Under 70 Points

The Tar Heels are second in the nation, averaging 82 points a game as the most lethal offense still breathing in the tournament.

But without Marshall, the fast break is going to be nonexistent and the entire flow is going to be off. Nobody can replicate the variety of skills Marshall brings to the table.

Ohio Will Cover the Spread (+10)

The Bobcats' three-point shooting and superior depth is going to make this a nail-bitter for Roy Williams and Co.

But we must remember that this is one of the favorites of the tournament vs a team that was the No. 3 seed in the MAC tournament.

The Tar Heels have won 18 of their last 21 NCAA tournament games, and they've won 10 straight games in the Sweet 16. 

It’s going to be close game, but the talent of UNC will ultimately prevail.

Prediction: North Carolina 68, Ohio 62 

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