North Carolina Faces Auburn In The Sweet Sixteen

On Friday night North Carolina out of the Atlantic Coast Conference and who is a one seed in the NCAA Tournament in the Midwest Region and will face Auburn who is a fifth seed in the Midwest Region and a member of the Southeastern Conference in Kansas City Missouri.

North Carolina comes into the game with a record of 29-6 while Auburn comes into the game with a record of 28-9.

As for how North Carolina got to the sweet sixteen they beat Washington.

—Luke Maye and Nassir Little each scored 20 points and top-seeded North Carolina breezed into the Sweet 16, beating Washington 81-59 Sunday. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-tar-heels-move-past-washington-into-sweet-16.aspx

The Tar Heels (29-6) never trailed and moved on to face fifth-seeded Auburn on Friday in a Midwest Regional semifinal. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-tar-heels-move-past-washington-into-sweet-16.aspx

Last year, one season removed from its national championship, North Carolina was eliminated in the second round in a rout by Texas A&M. The Tar Heels were not going to let it happen again.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-tar-heels-move-past-washington-into-sweet-16.aspx

Maye added 14 rebounds for North Carolina, a No. 1 seed for a record 17th time. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-tar-heels-move-past-washington-into-sweet-16.aspx

The Tar Heels committed 10 turnovers in the first half, and led by eight points at the break. But they bolted out in the second half, put together a 13-0 run over 5 minutes and pulled away.
  Pac-12 player of the year Jaylen Nowell paced Washington (28-8) with 12 points. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-tar-heels-move-past-washington-into-sweet-16.aspx

North Carolina forward Garrison Brooks took an elbow to the mouth in the first half that knocked out one tooth, chipped another and required stitches to close his cut lip. He returned to start the second half.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-tar-heels-move-past-washington-into-sweet-16.aspx

North Carolina guard Kenny Williams exited early in the second half grasping his left hamstring, but he also returned later in the half and seemed to be OK.”according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-tar-heels-move-past-washington-into-sweet-16.aspx

Like North Carolina, Auburn advanced to the sweet sixteen with a win as they defeated Kansas who was a four seed.

Giving "Auburn Fast" a new meaning, the Tigers raced past Kansas 89-75 Saturday at Vivint Smart Home Arena to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2003. “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

"We're awfully excited to advance to the Sweet 16," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "We're just grateful, all of us, for the opportunity to represent Auburn in this kind of competition. “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

"Tremendous respect for the Kansas program. It was an honor to compete against them. The reality is, our Auburn basketball team is a better team than Kansas. We've got some firepower. We like to think we're tough to play against because we've got 10 guys who can play, and they all contribute. It really wasn't an upset. I thought the better team won tonight." “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

Running and gunning to a 34-8 advantage in fast-break points, Auburn played a nearly flawless first half to take a 51-25 lead. “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

Bryce Brown scored 25 points to lead Auburn (28-9) to Kansas City for the Midwest Regional semifinals with a Friday matchup against the winner of Sunday's North Carolina-Washington game, the Tigers fifth Sweet 16 appearance. “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

Brown made four 3-pointers in the first seven minutes to put Auburn ahead 23-9. His fifth 3 gave Auburn a 40-20 lead. “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

"It starts on the defensive side of the ball with us," Brown said. "Typically when we start off hot on the defensive end, we start off hot on the offensive end. We get out in transition, knock down shots. If we continue to do that, we'll continue to win ballgames and go even farther." “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

Anfernee McLemore's 3-pointer extended the lead to 24 with 2:03 remaining, then Jared Harper scored with 4 seconds left to give Auburn its largest lead of the half, 26 points. “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

"We were able to force them into turnovers and get rebounds, and just run the floor on them, and they weren't able to run with us and get back on defense," McLemore said. "That's why we were able to get such a good lead because we were making so many points in transition, whether it was 3s or layups. They had a hard time guarding us in transition." “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

Auburn committed only two turnovers in the half while forcing eight, leading to a 12-1 edge in points off turnovers and a remarkable 26-1 lead in fast-break points. “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

Showcasing fresh legs after more than 48 hours of rest between games, Auburn kept the pressure on in the second half, leading by 27 after Austin Wiley's bucket capped a 9-0 run before Kansas narrowed the gap in the closing minutes. “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

Two days after defeating New Mexico State 78-77 in the opening round, this time the Tigers sprinted to their locker room, shouting "Sweet 16, baby!" “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

Harper scored 18 points, Chuma Okeke added 12, and McLemore added 11. McLemore, Okeke and Samir Doughty each grabbed five rebounds, helping Auburn win its 10th straight game.”according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

"It feels great for us, being able to be a part of history, be able to make history here at Auburn," Harper said. "It was a goal of ours to be able to come in and make history. That was the reason for coming to Auburn, to be able to do that. We played really well today and we're ready to advance even farther." “according to https://auburntigers.com/news/2019/3/24/mens-basketball-sweet-16-auburn-races-past-kansas-89-75-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

Tip-off is set for 7:29pm from the Sprint Center. The game will be televised on TBS.