Better Frontline? Kentucky vs. North Carolina

        It's not just these two teams, North Carolina and Kentucky are No. 1 and No. 2 in our Top 25, but they also possess the two best frontcourts in the country. According to our latest Big Board as a guide, both units have several players as upper-echelon first-round talents: Kentucky with three (Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones) and North Carolina with four (Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Tyler Zeller, James McAdoo). Kentucky has a few more players that play key roles or could develop into integral pieces like Kyle Wiltjer and Eloy Vargas capable of spelling some minutes.

        So which frontcourt would you rather have? Each has a lengthy shot-blocker (Anthony Davis vs. reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year John Henson), while Kentucky's is built more along the lines of creating mismatches with their hard-nosed, ultimately more skilled frontline. The Tar Heels pray on defenses due to their tremendous combination of size and athleticism. Both outwork their opponents on a nightly basis and get up and down the court in a hurry. In fact, both sets of frontcourts are so good that they dramatically overshadow their talented backcourts.

        Given North Carolina's experience (senior, junior, sophomore, freshman) and ability to score with their back to the basket with great efficiency on offense, while locking down the paint and the perimeter on defense, the top-ranked Tar Heels are our pick.


By President Corey Ruff - 11 - 17- 11