North Carolina, Michigan To Play On Thanksgiving In The Battle 4 Atlantis Semifinals In The Bahamas

Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have.

This year though it’s also about who’s playing on the hardwood as sixth ranked North Carolina who is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference will take on Michigan who is a member of the Big Ten Conference in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island In the Bahamas.

North Carolina comes into the game with a record of 5-0 while Michigan also comes into the game with a record of 5-0.

Have North Carolina and Michigan met before? The answer is yes, They met last season when North Carolina went to Ann Arbor for the ACC/ Big Ten Challenge where North Carolina suffered a 84-67 loss.

Charles Matthews had 21 points and seven rebounds, and Zavier Simpson spearheaded another impressive defensive effort by No. 7 Michigan, which rolled to an 84-67 victory over No. 11 North Carolina on Wednesday night. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2018/11/28/mens-basketball-carolina-falls-at-michigan-84-67.aspx

Jordan Poole scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half for the Wolverines (7-0), who led 39-35 at halftime and then shut down the Tar Heels' fast-paced offense for a while. North Carolina (6-2) came in averaging 96.6 points per game, but Michigan was allowing half that at 48.3. The Tar Heels ended up between those two extremes, but a good deal closer to the lower number. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2018/11/28/mens-basketball-carolina-falls-at-michigan-84-67.aspx

Michigan outscored North Carolina 34-16 in the first 12:13 of the second half. At times, just getting a shot to the rim felt like an accomplishment for the Tar Heels. An alley-oop dunk by Jon Teske put the Wolverines up 49-39, causing North Carolina to take a timeout. Matthews provided an even more emphatic highlight later on, slamming home an offensive rebound while drawing a foul. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2018/11/28/mens-basketball-carolina-falls-at-michigan-84-67.aspx

Matthews completed that three-point play to make it 56-42, and then Teske and Matthews blocked shots at the other end. A 3-pointer by Poole made it 63-43.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2018/11/28/mens-basketball-carolina-falls-at-michigan-84-67.aspx

Michigan led 73-51 before North Carolina went on an 11-0 run. Matthews halted that with a 3-pointer. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2018/11/28/mens-basketball-carolina-falls-at-michigan-84-67.aspx

North Carolina was sharp offensively early, taking a 21-11 lead, but the Wolverines responded with a 19-4 run that included 10 points by Iggy Brazdeikis. Michigan closed the half on a bright note as well. Matthews sank a 3-pointer, then the 7-foot-1 Teske dove on the floor to secure a loose ball, helping set up a 3 by Poole in the final seconds.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2018/11/28/mens-basketball-carolina-falls-at-michigan-84-67.aspx

This time around North Carolina will be looking for a different result while Michigan meanwhile will be looking for the same result.

As for how North Carolina and Michigan Advanced in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament,

North Carolina beat Alabama who is better known for their success on the grid iron then the hardwood.

Time and again, the ball went up on the backboard or bounced off the rim only to end up in the hands of North Carolina players who bulled their way through traffic to get to it. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-alabama-recap.aspx

The Tar Heels (5-0) entered as the nation's No. 1 team in rebounding margin. They certainly won't hurt that average with this performance: They nearly doubled the Crimson Tide to finish with a 60-31 edge on the glass, with those 60 rebounds setting an Atlantis tournament record.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-alabama-recap.aspx

UNC had as many offensive rebounds (23) as Alabama had defensive rebounds and finished with 23 second-chance points.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-alabama-recap.aspx

As for the North Carolina offense,

The Tar Heels didn't shoot the ball particularly well (40.8%) while freshman point guard Cole Anthony didn't have a huge offensive game. He finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists — including a perfect alley-oop inbounds pass that Garrison Brooks hammered down with 3:23 left as part of his 20 points to match a career high. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-alabama-recap.aspx

John Petty Jr. scored 23 points with seven 3-pointers for the Crimson Tide (2-3), though 15 points and five of those 3s came in the first half. Preseason all-Southeastern Conference pick Kira Lewis Jr. added 20 points, but Alabama shot just 38% for the game.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-alabama-recap.aspx

Leaky Black finished with career highs of nine points and nine rebounds for the Tar Heels, who also got a career-high 12 points from senior Brandon Robinson in his season debut. Robinson had been sidelined since he sprained an ankle during an exhibition game.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-tar-heels-vs-alabama-recap.aspx

Meanwhile, Michigan knocked off Iowa State.

Senior point guard Zavier Simpson collected a double-double and the Wolverines shot 57.5 percent from the field to lead the University of Michigan men's basketball team to an 83-76 quarterfinal victory over Iowa State at the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday (Nov. 27) at the Imperial Ballroom.”according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

As part of their solid shooting display, U-M made 10 of their 21 three-pointers to help seal its victory over the Cyclones. All 10 Wolverines that played scored this afternoon with five reaching double-digits.

» Michigan shot 57.5 percent and made 10 three-pointers.
» Zavier Simpson had his seventh career double-double with 10 points and 13 assists.
» Isaiah Livers and David DeJulius each scored in double digits.
» Michigan will play No. 6 North Carolina in Thursday's (Nov. 28) semifinal round. “according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- Senior point guard Zavier Simpson collected a double-double and the Wolverines shot 57.5 percent from the field to lead the University of Michigan men's basketball team to an 83-76 quarterfinal victory over Iowa State at the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday (Nov. 27) at the Imperial Ballroom. “according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

As part of their solid shooting display, U-M made 10 of their 21 three-pointers to help seal its victory over the Cyclones. All 10 Wolverines that played scored this afternoon with five reaching double-digits. “according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

Senior Zavier Simpson produced his seventh career double-double (10 points, 13 assists), and junior Isaiah Livers added 17 points -- including a career-best four makes from beyond the arc. David DeJulius chipped in 14 points, including two three-pointers.”according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

In the post Jon Teske and Colin Castleton rounded out the double-digit point scorers with 11 and 10, respectively. “according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

In his first career appearance following injury, Franz Wagner played 23 minutes in the start, made two three-pointers, grabbed three rebounds and had one block. Michigan's bench contributed 31 points, while U-M added 20 fast break points. “according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

On the boards, Simpson pulled down a team-best seven rebounds and Teske added six boards, while Brandon Johns Jr. grabbed five in 10 minutes. “according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

Iowa State came out fast, jumping out an early lead, but following the first media timeout, the Wolverines went on a 16-2 run over a three-minute span, capped off with two free throws from DeJulius to five Michigan a 22-18 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half.”according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

The teams exchanged baskets to end the half as Michigan took a slight 41-37 lead into the locker room. Simpson scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and added six assists, and Wagner hit a pair of three-pointers. As a team, Michigan shot 53.6 percent from the floor, including making four triples.”according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

Michigan came out of the locker room and hit four three-pointers in the first six minutes to take a 55-41 advantage over the Cyclones.”according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

The Wolverines extended their lead to 11 with just under 11 minutes left when Simpson found Johns on the block for a dunk as Michigan took a 61-50 advantage. The U-M defense hunkered down and put Iowa State on ice for more than two minutes and extended is lead to 68-53 after Livers made the second of two free throws on a technical foul, and Castleton made a layup on the inbound play with 7:59 left to play. “according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

Tyrese Haliburton looked to single-handedly bring the Cyclones back into the contest as he scored seven straight points, but the Wolverines were able to maintain an 11-point, 75-64, lead heading into the final media timeout. “according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

Michigan made three of its five free throw attempts over the final 31 seconds, including a pair from Teske with five seconds to go to ice the win. “according to https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/11/27/mens-basketball-michigan-earns-victory-over-iowa-state-in-battle-4-atlantis-quarterfinal.aspx

Tip-off is set for 1:30pm from Imperial Arena at Atlantis Resort in Nassau. The game will be televised on ESPN.