North Carolina vs. Ohio: 5 Reasons Ohio Will Be Sent Packing

The Ohio Bobcats have become the Cinderella of the NCAA tournament this season. The No. 13 Bobcats will square off against North Carolina and, unfortunately, Ohio will be sent packing despite its efforts.

North Carolina has the size advantage as well as the shooting advantage over the Bobcats in this game. Where the Bobcats will set themselves apart is with their ability to create turnovers.

The Bobcats will also have to shoot better than they have all season, something that will prove difficult against the Tar Heels. Looking at this Sweet 16 matchup closely, it isn’t difficult to see how the Tar Heels will send the Bobcats packing after a great tournament run.

Inside Size Favors Carolina

The Tar Heels are a team that looks NBA ready at times with the size and athleticism of their big men. Ohio, unfortunately, does not have the size that will match up well with the Tar Heels, as the most size the Bobcats bring to the court is Ethan Jacobs, standing at the 6’10” mark.

After Jacobs, the Bobcats have a few bodies in the 6’8” range, but nothing that matches the three 6’8”-plus guys who start on the Carolina side of the court. It also doesn’t help that Jacobs has had extremely limited action in the past month.

The Bobcats do average nearly 35 rebounds a game, but not having a consistent threat on the inside will hurt the Bobcats' ability to grab those rebounds in this game. Carolina obviously will play the size advantage. 

Ohio Shooting Won’t Last

Ohio has not been very consistent in its shooting this season. In fact, it's right around mediocre when it comes to shooting consistency.

The Bobcats will have to hope that their tournament magic continues against Carolina, although it seems unlikely.

Carolina plays a tough man-to-man defense, but it also has a safety net in the frontcourt with three very talented big men. Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson are all tough guys to face.

The Bobcats may make it past the Carolina guards, but once they break past the man-to-man, their job gets more difficult.

I don’t expect the Bobcats to be able to continue with their lights-out shooting—one of the major reasons they'll go home after the Sweet 16.

Tar Heels Won’t Give Away Turnovers

The Ohio team relies on its ability to force turnovers to help its defensive efforts. The Bobcats are fourth in the nation in steals, but Carolina is not going to give the ball away easily.

The Bobcats have been able to take advantage of the teams they have faced so far in the tournament by forcing turnovers and keeping their opponents' score low. Carolina has the second-best offense in the country this season; scoring will not be an issue against the Bobcats, and neither will ball-handling.

Ohio will certainly force some turnovers, but it won’t be enough to keep the Carolina team from landing baskets consistently. 

Bobcats Defense Can’t Hold

When the clock strikes zero in this game, the Bobcats will have built a reputation as a tough team. They will be remembered as an aggressive group that played outside of its measurables, making a deep run into the tournament for a No. 13 seed.

Unfortunately for Ohio, it will be sent packing.

A big reason is Carolina's ability to score and the Bobcats' inability to stop the Tar Heels. North Carolina did lose point guard Kendall Marshall to an injury earlier in the tournament, but the Tar Heels have enough talent to overcome the loss in this game.

The Tar Heels are fast and athletic. Add to that the size advantage that they carry over the Bobcats, and it is a no-brainer that the Tar Heels will make a strong run at some point and overtake the Bobcats' defensive efforts.

Stopping the second-best offense in the country will prove too much for the Cinderella Bobcats. 

Roy Williams

Roy Williams knows how to coach championship-level basketball. Williams has been inducted to both the Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame. It would be impossible to deny his coaching resume.

Williams built a strong team at Kansas when he coached for the Jayhawks from 1988 to 2003, leading the Jayhawks to four Final Four appearances.

Since arriving at Carolina, Williams has continued with the winning tradition laid before him and guided the Tar Heels to some very successful seasons.

When a game gets close and a team has to will its way to a win, coaching is a major factor in that success. Nothing against Ohio coach John Groce, but I’ll take Williams. 

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