3. Will Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram Control the Boards?
Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram haveboth been excellent through two NCAA Tournament gamesand they've got a great opportunity to control the glass from the opening tip.
Alabama ranks 225th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.8%), giving UNC's duo a huge advantage. Bacot has 22 rebounds in the tournament so far and Ingram has 12, so this is an easy way that the Tar Heels can generate extra scoring opportunities against what will likely become a tired defense given the projected fast pace.
Armando Bacot MUSCLES one in 💪#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/FoXDMQ5bOV
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB)March 21, 2024
The Crimson Tide have onlyonestarter taller than 6'6". This is a perimeter-oriented team that isn't built to handle someone like Bacot down low. Considering the 6'7" Ingram is a fantastic rebounder in his own right, I foresee the Tar Heels winning the rebounding battle without much trouble.
Considering a relatively large amount of Alabama's shots come from beyond the arc, there should be long rebound opportunities that Ingram can turn into fast-break points as well.
All signs point to a convincing UNC win. We could soon be celebrating an Elite Eight appearance, though Bacot and Ingram need to control the paint for that to happen.
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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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