(Getty)
From one battle of the bluebloods to the next.
After UNC easily handled Butler in the first South regional semifinal, Kentucky followed suit with a statement victory over UCLA, setting up an epic showdown between two of the most successful programs in college basketball history.
Either the Heels will become the first team ever with 20 Final Four appearances, or the Wildcats will get their for the 18th time.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch:
UNC vs. Kentucky Viewing Info
Date: Sunday, March 26, 2017
Start Time: 5:05 p.m. ET
TV Channel: CBS
Early Preview
After a near disastrous second-round loss to Arkansas last week, North Carolina looked re-energized during Friday night’s 92-80 victory over Butler. Behind 50 combined point from Joel Berry and Justin Jackson, the Heels poured in a dangerously efficient 1.24 point per possession. For comparison, UCLA led the nation in that stat at 1.20.
Basically, it looked a lot like this:
North Carolina game summary. #Sweet16
The Heels are about as complete as it goes offensively. Not only did they shoot 54.4 percent from the field, but their frontcourt–arguably the biggest, deepest and best in the country–helped them pull down 34.6 percent of their own misses, which is a lot but was actually still less than usual. The inside-outside mix makes them incredibly tough to stop.
Of course, the Wildcats are pretty good in that regard, as well.
De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, two likely Top-10 picks come June, are as good as any backcourt in the country. Carolina knows all about Monk, who went nuclear and dropped 47 in a 103-100 instant-classic win in December, while Fox is fresh off a transcendent 39-point outburst against UCLA and can get to the rim at will.
This one may not ultimately result in 203 combined points like the matchup earlier this year, but considering how well both teams are playing, how many potential lottery picks are involved, and what’s on the line, this rematch has a good chance to be just as exciting.
