Let's take a look at the ACC Tournament Quarterfinal matchup between UNC and Pitt.
| North Carolina | Pitt | |
| Record | 25-6 | 21-10 |
| ACC Record | 14-4 | 9-9 |
| KenPom Rank | #5 | #43 |
| Points per game | 82.9 | 76.2 |
| Adj. Off. Efficiency(Rank) | 119.3(7th) | 112.6(35th) |
| Ad. Def. Efficiency(Rank) | 95.4(25th) | 99.1(78th) |
| Tempo(Rank) | 72.5(40th) | 66.4(299th) |
| Offensive eFG% | 51.8% | 51.4% |
| Defensive eFG% | 47.8% | 50.0% |
| Field Goal % | 47.6% | 46.0% |
| 2P FG% | 53.8% | 50.9% |
| 3P FG% | 31.0% | 35.0% |
| FT% | 73.6% | 75.9% |
| Offensive Reb Rate | 40.1% | 37.5% |
| Defensive Reb Rate | 70.3% | 72.7% |
| TO Rate | 15.4% | 17.4% |
| FT Rate | 32.5% | 36.3% |
| 3PA% | 26.9% | 31.1% |
In the first meeting between these two teams UNC largely dominated the contest for an 85-64 win. The numbers back up why that was the case. Pitt is just above average on offense but suffers on the defensive end. The turnover rate is a tad elevated which UNC took advantage of in the first meeting. The biggest concern for UNC coming out of that game was the Panthers posting a 40.4% offensive rebounding rate. Other than that, UNC did everything it needed to do for an easy win.
Thursday's quarterfinal stands to be a closer contest with Pitt likely performing better on the offensive end. UNC limited Pitt to just 34.8% shooting from three and the Panthers 9-21 shooting from three included several late threes once the game was out of hand. For the game Pitt's offensive efficiency was just 88.7, UNC's sixth best defensive effort of the season. With one game under their belt and UNC coming out for its first of the ACC Tournament, the Panthers could end up with a better shooting day. That being said, UNC's defense has been steadily improving down the stretch and is ranked 25th nationally. If the Tar Heels continue on that trend, a repeat of the first game might be on tap.
On the other end, UNC eviscerated the Pitt defense hitting 61.5% inside the arc and 8-15 outside of it. Those were fourth and third on the season for UNC making it one of the better shooting performances overall for the Tar Heels in ACC play. Catching that kind of hot hand to open ACC Tournament play would be ideal given the road ahead.
