FIRST LOOK / North Carolina vs. Florida

* How they match up: North Carolina has the size, Florida has the speed and depth. Only seven Tar Heels played in their victory against Tulsa, while 10 Gators played against Oklahoma State. North Carolina, often troubled because of turnovers, has turned it around in the NCAA tournament, in which it has averaged only 12 a game. The Tar Heels will have to keep down the number of turnovers against the pressing Gators.

* What to expect: This game comes down to tempo. In a half-court game, the Tar Heels get the edge with their size and Joseph Forte’s ability to create a shot. The Gators will try to entice the Tar Heels into a running game. If they are able to dictate the pace, North Carolina’s thin bench will be tested. Florida has already defeated Duke, the crown jewel of the ACC, and should have little difficulty advancing to the title game.

How Florida and North Carolina compare:

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CATEGORY FLA NC Record 28-7 22-13 Average Points 84.4 75.9 Opponent Average Points 68.6 70.2 Margin 15.8 5.7 Field-goal Percentage .484 .495 Opponent Field-goal Percentage .418 .408 3-Point Field-goal Percentage .369 .349 Opponent 3-Point Field-goal Percentage .326 .310 Free-throw Percentage .710 .703 Rebound Margin 5.2 4.3 Average Steals 10.3 5.9 Average Blocks 4.1 4.9

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