This is the only game of the weekend between two ranked teams, as well as the biggest game thus far of the Rick Barnes era at Tennessee. The Tar Heels are going to do what they can to turn this game into a track meet. The Volunteers have enough athleticism to keep up for stretches, but they cant let this devolve into 40 minutes of up-and-down basketball. Keep an eye on Tennessees free-throw shooting. Admiral Schofield, Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bone all shoot at least 80% from the stripe, while Grant Williams is at 75% on 44 attempts. Getting those four to the line will have the three-pronged effect of getting easy points, putting the Tar Heels in foul trouble, and preventing them from turning up the tempo. That could be the key to the game.
Tennessee 77, North Carolina 75