New York Post

Three keys

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DEFENSE: In the first Kentucky-UNC encounter Dec. 17 in Las Vegas — won by the Wildcats, 103-100 — the two teams shot a combined 53.5 percent from the field and 54 percent on 3-pointers. Since then, both teams have made significan­t strides defensivel­y, particular­ly Kentucky, which just held UCLA to 75 points — 15 below its season average — in a commanding Sweet 16 victory, and held off Wichita State in the second round with two huge blocked shots in the waning moments.

THE GLASS: North Carolina is the No. 1 rebounding team in the nation, averaging 43.7 boards per game. It has outrebound­ed its three NCAA Tournament opponents by an astounding 50 boards, and relies heavily on second-chance points. But Kentucky is no slouch on the glass, either, ranking 14th in the country and getting the better of the Tar Heels on the boards earlier this season. A THIRD OPTION: North Carolina will look to take away either De’Aaron Fox or Malik Monk. The duo combined for 71 points in the original showdown, and accounted for 60 points in the win over UCLA. But can Kentucky keep pace without a huge game from one of the two freshman? A third scorer needs to emerge. The Wildcats need more from center Bam Adebayo (above), who produced just two points against UCLA, but was a force earlier in the year against North Carolina, with 13 points and seven rebounds. Keep an eye on senior reserve Dominique Hawkins, who is averaging 8.3 points per game in the tournament.

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