Can Oregon Follow Miami’s Example to Beat North Carolina?

Jan 28, 2017; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) drives to the basket against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) during the second half at Watsco Center. Miami won 77-62. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) drives to the basket against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) during the second half at Watsco Center. Miami won 77-62. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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North Carolina Tar Heels
Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) controls the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center.

Oregon finished 49th in rebounding margin but lost their second leading rebounder and leading shot blocker Chris Boucher for the season in the Pac 12 tournament with a torn ACL.

North Carolina won the rematch with Miami by dominating the second half much like the Hurricanes did in the first half in the initial meeting this season.

Leading 34-29 at the break, the Tar Heels outscored Miami 44-24 in the final 20 minutes. In the second meeting, North Carolina shot 28-53 from the floor, 7-17 on threes and 15-18 from the line. They also outrebound Miami 36-29.

Oregon wins with balance. Four other Ducks in addition to Boucher average in double figures. Dillon Brooks and Tyler Dorsey have been the Ducks two leading scorers this season. They and forward Jordan Bell have led the way in the tournament.

In the upset of Kansas, Dorsey scored 27 points and hit six of his 10 three-point attempts. Brooks finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists and hit three of his eight three points attempts. Bell provided an outstanding all-around performance. He finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds, eight blocks and four assists.

Dylan Ennis contributed 12 as the fourth Duck in double figures. Oregon used a similar formula in their win over Kansas that Miami was able to do in their first meeting with North Carolina.

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