Selection committee doesn't heed N.C. Central's request to avoid Duke, Zion Williamson
On Saturday, North Carolina Central beat Norfolk State in the MEAC championship to earn a third straight NCAA tournament bid.
After the win, head coach LeVelle Moton immediately recognized his team’s likely fate as a No. 16 seed and had one request for the selection committee — anybody but Zion.
N.C. Central coach: Anybody but Zion
“Some coaches will say ‘We’ll take on anyone. We’ll be ready,’” Moton told reporters. “But I don’t any part of playing Duke. Us playing against Zion [Williamson] would be like my 6-year-old son playing against me.”
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The selection committee did not heed his wish. The Eagles drew a First Four matchup against fellow No. 16 seed North Dakota State on Wednesday.
Their reward if they win? A matchup with the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed Duke in the East region.
Raasean Davis would have his hands full
The Eagles’ strength is in their frontcourt. Center Raasean Davis — 6-8 and 240 pounds — leads the team with 14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
But he’s never seen anything close to the likes of Williamson in the MEAC. ACC opponents have never seen anything like Williamson.
A stacked North Carolina frontcourt gave up 50 points in the paint in Friday’s ACC tournament loss to Duke, the most the Tar Heels have allowed in the post in eight years, according to ESPN.
So, yeah. Odds are Zion will likely look like an adult playing against 6-year-olds whether Duke faces N.C. Central or Norfolk State this week.
But at least the Eagles can say they’re dancing.
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