The North Carolina Tar Heels (23-13) are set to face the Ole Miss Rebels (22-11) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 21, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Tar Heels, under coach Hubert Davis, secured their spot by dominating San Diego State 95-68 in the First Four, a game highlighted by RJ Davis’s flawless 6-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc, contributing to his 26-point performance. North Carolina’s offensive strength is evident, averaging 80.8 points per game and ranking 31st nationally. Their success is closely tied to their perimeter shooting; they hold a 21-5 record when making at least 30% of their three-point attempts.

Ole Miss, led by coach Chris Beard, enters the tournament as the sixth seed, boasting a senior-heavy lineup that has been pivotal in their success. The Rebels are anchored by senior guard Sean Pedulla, who leads the team with an average of 14.9 points per game, and forward Jaemyn Brakefield, contributing 10.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Notably, Ole Miss excels in ball control, ranking third nationally in offensive turnover percentage at 12.8%. However, their rebounding has been a concern, as they rank 322nd in rebounding percentage. The Rebels’ ability to manage turnovers and improve their presence on the boards will be crucial against a high-scoring North Carolina team. Both teams have shown vulnerabilities, making this matchup particularly intriguing as they vie for a spot in the tournament’s next round.