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Long Island Blackbirds (27-5) @ North Carolina Tar Heels (26-7)

Time: 7:15 pm EST

Odds: Bet on the game here!

Preview: The Blackbirds of Long Island will look to pull the big upset Friday night when they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels. Long Island finished 27-5 on the season and 16-2 in the Northeast Conference. The Blackbirds won the conference regular season, and also the conference tournament. Overall, Long Island has won 13 straight games, including their 85-82 overtime win over Robert Morris.

The Blackbirds were the fourth highest scoring team in the country; averaging 82.6 points per game. Long Island was also third in rebounds, with 41.8 points per game. Julian Boyd and Jamal Olasewere lead the Blackbirds in both points per game and rebounds per game. Boyd is scoring 12.9 points per game and grabbing 8.8 rebounds per game. Olasewere is scoring 12.9 per game as well, but ripping down just 6.8 rebounds.

North Carolina won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season, but were tripped up in the finals by Duke. The Tar Heels won nine straight in between their two losses to the Blue Devils.

Harrison Barnes and Tyler Zeller were the leading scorers for the Tar Heels, combining for nearly 30 points per game. The Tar Heels ranked 24th in scoring, with 76.7 points per game, and they were also the top rebounding team in the country, with 42.5. The winner of this game will take on the winner of the Washington/Georgia game.

Our prediction: Tar Heels roll. 80-60.