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North Carolina vs. Florida Gulf Coast picks for the NCAA Tournament’s East Region first-round game.

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Congratulations to Florida Gulf Coast University. The Eagles romped Fairleigh Dickinson during their First Four game, winning a chance to come after the 1-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels – a Sisyphean task to say the least.

When motivated, UNC is the most explosive and dangerous team in the entire nation. With Marcus Paige having overcome a midseason slump of epic proportions, and Joel Barry starting to heat up, the Tar Heels have finally shown life from beyond the arc. If North Carolina can score from outside of the paint, goodnight, Susie.

As for the paint, well, there’s the problematic figure of Brice Johnson – a long dude who can stretch defenses and is a viable 20-20 threat (you read that right, just ask Florida State and Duke). If Kennedy Meeks plays assertively then the Tar Heels will have a great one-two punch on the inside.

Here’s a look at Campus Insiders’ North Carolina vs. Florida Gulf Coast picks.

North Carolina vs. Florida Gulf Coast Picks

Pete Fiutak

The darling of a few years ago will roll on the boards over Fairleigh Dickinson and into the first round loss to North Carolina. If this was a fair and just world, FGCU would beat the Tar Heels and play former head coach Andy Enfield and USC in the second round.

Ray Crawford

North Carolina is just too good for FGCU to compete. This is an easy one for the Tar Heels.

Shae Peppler

UNC is playing their best basketball at the right time. And they beat teams in every facet of the game. Tar Heels advance.

Ken Bikoff

It doesn’t matter who UNC plays. The Tar Heels are getting to the weekend.

Jordan Cornette

Long, athletic and loaded, North Carolina handle business.

More NCAA Tournament: East Region Preview And Winner Pick