UNC vs. FGCU-Fairleigh Dickinson Winner: March Madness Preview

Brice Johnson and the Tar Heels are ready to begin their quest at a national championship. (Getty)

North Carolina hasn’t made it to the Final Four since they won the national title in 2009, but Roy Williams’ squad has all the tools to make a big run this year.

The Tar Heels’ path to Houston begins in the East region against the winner of the Florida Gulf Coast vs. Fairleigh Dickinson play-in game.

Here’s a look at the matchup and game details:

REGION: East

DATE: Thursday, March 17

TIME: 7:20 p.m. ET

TV CHANNEL: TBS

POINT SPREAD: TBD. Click here for more March Madness betting info from Heavy’s partners at OddsShark.

LIVE STREAM INFO: CBS offers live streams of every game on March Madness Live. For games on TNT, TBS or TruTV a cable login will be required.

North Carolina at a Glance

RECORD: 28-6 (14-4 ACC)

LOCATION: Chapel Hill, North Carolina

CONFERENCE: ACC

COACH: Roy Williams

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Brice Johnson (.614 FG%, 16.6 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.3 BPG), Marcus Paige (12.1 PPG, 3.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.9 3ptPG), Justin Jackson (12.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.9 APG), Kennedy Meeks (.563 FG%, 9.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.2 BPG)

Florida Gulf Coast at a Glance

RECORD: 20-13 (8-6)

LOCATION: Fort Meyers, Florida

CONFERENCE: Atlantic Sun

COACH: Joe Dooley

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Marc-Eddy Norelia, RJr., Forward (17.2 PPG, 1.18 APG, 9.2 RPG, .539 FG%, N/A 3PT%); Christian Terrell, So., Guard(12.6 PPG, 2.18 APG, 4.9 RPG, .451 FG%, .366 3PT %)

Fairleigh Dickinson at a Glance

RECORD: 18-14 (11-7 NEC)

LOCATION: Teaneck, New Jersey

CONFERENCE: NEC

COACH: Greg Herenda

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Darian Anderson (15.4 PPG, 3.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.4 3ptPG), Earl Potts (14.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.9 3ptPG, .510 FG%), Mike Holloway (9.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.1 BPG)