North Carolina Tar Heels: Final Four Bracket Game 2
The 1997 Rotation
Starters
C Serge Zwikker
F Antawn Jamison
F Vince Carter
G Ed Cota
Key Reserves
F Ademola Okulaja
C Makhtar Ndiaye
The 2008 Rotation
Starters
C Tyler Hansbrough
G Wayne Ellington
G Ty Lawson
Key Reserves
F Danny Green
F Will Graves
G Bobby Frasor (inj)
Matchup Notes Before Simulation-
Rebounding would be a premium in this matchup with Jamison and Hansbrough both very active on the boards. I don’t know if Hansbrough could climb Zwikker the whole game, but I am willing to bet he would have induced foul trouble on him and certainly Ndiaye (assuming Ndiaye did not flagrant him). On the other end, Jamison would have been impossible to defend with his variety of athletic shots.
Distance shooting would also be close since Green, Ellington, and Shammond Williams are some of the best the school has ever seen at it. The Carter versus Ginyard matchup would be crucial to the outcome as would Okulaja’s ability to come in and deal with Green. Size would actually favor the 1997 team in many spots.
Finally there would be the point guard battle. Here the edge would seem to be with Lawson, who could generate offense of his own when necessary. He would also have more helpers off the bench with Thomas or Frasor (assuming healthy here) and therefore the opportunity to rest.
It will be a good one, featuring two of the handful of players to get their jerseys retired rather than just honored.
Result – NCAAGameSim.com
Note – One simulation (this not a best of seven) and I will use the same engine each time for consistency unless it involves a team prior to 1975 where I will improvise.
Summary – Absolutely monster game from Hansbrough (35 points 15 rebounds) supplemented by a big scoring night from Ellington (19 points). Shammond Williams put in a big game of his own (16 points 4 steals), but the 1997 Heels could not mount enough offense in the end.