A Key to North Carolina vs Marquette

How Marquette will matchup with the North Carolina frontline: North Carolina leads the nation in rebounding at 42.5 rebounds per game. They grab about 15 offensive rebounds per game. Marquette on the other hand, averages 36.2 rebounds per game, which is 104th in the country. In North Carolina's 35 games this season, they have outrebounded their opponent 27 times. In those game they are 25-2. Marquette head coach Buzz Williams said about North Carolina's rebounding, "Part of that is because they are so far ahead of their opponent, if they miss a shot they can put it back in. So we will have our hands full from the start, but we are thankful to be here." North Carolina's three leading scorers are all forwards and they account for more than half of the Tar Heels points per game. Unlike Marquette, Carolina has the ability to throw the ball into the post to either the 7 foot Tyler Zeller or the 6-10 John Henson, who both shoot over 50 percent from the field. It will be key for Marquette center Chris Otule to stay out of foul trouble because he is Marquette's only player with the size to guard the Carolina big men. This has been a problem for Chris, as he has fouled out of both NCAA tournament games for the Golden Eagles. Marquette will have trouble moving on to the regional finals if Otule can only stay on the floor for 18 minutes like in the second round against Xavier. Otule said, "I've been getting called for a lot of fouls. I have to let the refs see my hands, and try to take up as much space on Zeller as I can, and hopefully it works out for the best." If Otule gets into foul trouble, it will be difficult for the undersize Jae Crowder at 6-6 to guard Zeller and Henson down in the post.