Roy Williams... We meet again

Somewhere in New Orleans back in 2003, Jim Boeheim modestly shook the hand of Roy Williams after Hakim Warrick solidified the National Championship victory for Syracuse over Kansas.  Fast forward almost 11 years later, and Williams is now the coach at the University of North Carolina with two championships of his own under the belt.  For the first time in the new ACC, Boeheim and Williams meet again...

What's the deal with UNC?
North Carolina boasts the three best wins of any team in the country.  Home against #3 Louisville, away at #1 Michigan State, and home against #11 Kentucky.  One would think this would solidify them a high rank in the top 25, but that couldn't be further from the truth.  North Carolina has been plagued with some BAD losses... I mean losing to UAB after knocking off Louisville bad.  More recently, the boys in baby blue have lost an ugly pair of back to back games against Wake Forest and Miami, putting them at 0-2 in ACC play.  Sophomore Marcus Paige had been the only source of consistency for the Tar Heels, and he has failed to score in double figures these past two games.  However, UNC's main issues are in their front court.  Where Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks once showed flashes of greatness, they now show signs of mediocracy.  Paige's struggles combined with slacking big men have been the main reasons for this major slump.

Marcus Paige is UNC's go to player.

Who should Syracuse be worried about?
Marcus Paige is a dynamic player who really can do it all.  He's got great vision, great scoring ability, and although he has struggled the past two games, I still consider him in the mix for ACC Player of the Year.  Junior James Michael McAdoo is a McDonald's All American who has been scoring consistently for the Tar Heels (14.4 ppg), but he isn't really a difference maker.  Leslie McDonald is the player who might make it rain from three point land against the zone.  As UNC's only real sharp shooter this season, McDonald has struggled to find his shot.  Don't be surprised though if he starts knocking them down, because he surely has it in him.

Expectation
UNC has a knack for playing up or down to the level of their opponent, so don't be surprised if the Tar Heels come out and give the Orange a great game.  Sometimes when there's not much to lose, as there isn't for UNC, it's easier for an underachieving team to find their swing.  You can definitely expect the Loud House to be just that in Syracuse's first big ACC matchup.  While North Carolina will probably make a game of it, I still think Syracuse is just too much for them at this point in the season.  As long as Trev and CJ don't have atrocious days shooting, Syracuse should be fine in this one.  I'm going with The Orange here in a game that will be closer than most expect, 76-70.