VCU vs UNC: High-Stakes Guard Battle in NCAA Tournament

0:00On March 19th, here's the latest out of Durham. Virginia Commonwealth earned an 11th seed in the NCAA. A tournament after winning the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship over Dayton on Sunday. The Rams finished the regular season strong with the 27 and 7 record and 15 wins in the A-10. They'll face 6th seeded North Carolina, who win 24 and 8 overall with a 12 and 6 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The first round matchup tips off at 6.50pm, Thursday in Greenville, South Carolina. VCU has been on fire lately, winning 16 of their last 17 games, making them a real upset threat, despite North Carolina's higher seed. The Tar Heels have dealt with some inconsistency and injuries, but enter this one confident after practicing their fast-paced style all season. Coach Hubert Davis knows his team can't let VCU control the tempo on either end of the floor. He's stressed playing smart basketball to match the Rams' athleticism and quick transitions. North Carolina's guards have shown flashes, but need to stay consistent after digging early holes in recent games.

1:06The battle at guard will be huge, with four VCU's top scorers coming from the back court, and they've shot well from beyond the arc. North Carolina holds a size edge inside, which could help their big men dominate the paint and rebounding without fouling too much. The Rams get to the free throw line a lot and convert at a high clip. Davis is treating this like the start of a mini-tournament in Greenville, pushing his players with urgency for a one and done scenario. Rebounding and low turnovers remain key focuses as the Tar Heels aim to advance, thanks to our sponsor for supporting today's coverage. Comfort, you can hear. Sound, you can relax into. S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.