When Lawson moves and can pass the ball to the outside as well, senior forward Tyler Hansbrough, who averages 21.3 points per game, becomes that much more effective due to a spread-out defense.
On average, North Carolina produces 19 assists compared to only 13.4 turnovers, but in losses against Wake Forest and Maryland, the Heels only managed nine and five assists, respectively, while committing 18 and 15 turnovers.
Still, the X-factor for Carolina is Ellington, who averages nearly 15 points per game.
Lauded for his pure shooting stroke by many, the senior only connects on 38 percent of his three-pointers, well below the 49 percent that Lawson shoots and the 45 percent for Green.
Even then, Ellington can catch fire from beyond the arc: Against Maryland at home he went 7-9 from three-point range and put up 34 total points. If Ellington can find his shot, there may be too much offense on the floor for the Hokies.
Though Carolina possesses the ability to light up the scoreboard, their defensive prowess is lacking.
The Tar Heels rank 11th in the conference in scoring defense and 10th in three-point percentage defense due in part to their up-tempo playing style and injury to defensive stopper Marcus Ginyard.
Clemson, who ranks just below Carolina in that same category, gave up 11 treys to the Hokies last Wednesday on only 19 attempts.
Provided Vassallo and Delaney shoot well, Tech can keep itself in the game with the three-ball.
How well Tech responds to Carolina's fast-paced style depends on the status of sophomore point guard Hank Thorns, who shined against Clemson but had to sit out for Duke due to hypernutremia.
"We're waiting to hear this morning (Monday). He had to get a blood test this morning to make sure his levels are fine," Greenberg said. "If they are, we'll limit him in practice, see how he feels after practice, and obviously he'll be day to day."
Had Thorns played against Duke, the outcome may have been different. Instead, Delaney, the only other point guard on the team, had to run the offense by himself and snapped his consecutive double digit scoring streak at 32.
Wednesday night will be the last regular season home game for the Hokies, and senior forwards Vassallo and Cheick Diakite will be honored.
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