Top seed North Carolina is the most talented team within the NCAA Tournament's Region of Death according to Kentucky coach John Calipari, whose team is seeded No. 2 in the South.

"I think North Carolina, top to bottom, based on the fact they have veteran players (is the tournament’s best team),” Calipari said during Monday's appearance on Mike and Mike. “(Joel) Berry’s what, 6-foot-3? I watched him make five straight 3s against Duke. I turned it on and he made five straight in a span of three minutes.

"Their inside game, they play fast and they can score. They’re really good.”

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Kentucky beat North Carolina, 103-100, in December during what was perhaps college basketball's most exciting battle of bluebloods this season.

The Wildcats and Tar Heels could meet in the Elite Eight in Memphis if both teams survive a challenging trio of early-round games. North Carolina leads the all-time series, 23-15, including a 2-1 mark in the postseason (last meeting went to Kentucky in 2011 Elite Eight).

The Tar Heels have reached a record 19 Final Fours and the Wildcats 17 (tied for third all-time).