I look at the "X" factor as someone who is the difference in the game. Illinois vs UNC are both extremely talented teams but the difference between the two is SEAN MAY and you can argue Marvin Williams as well. Sean May doesn't control the ball so he needs someone to get him the ball. There is tons of examples where teams repeatedly fail to give their big man the ball in games despite him having huge advantage. So its no given that UNC feeds him the ball consistently throughout the game. If UNC gets him the ball, UNC will win because he is the "X" factor. He is the difference maker between the two teams. All other positions are relatively a wash.
Now by your definition of an "X" factor, I would argue J. Williams is your man. He is a super talented senior who is playing injured right now. He has shot the ball poorly for 7+ straight games now but UNC continues to win despite this starter struggling so badly. He now gets 1 week to rest and heal up and he very well could explode on Sat. By having a great game, all he needs to do is hit 1-2 treys and put up 7-10pts with good shooting %. Not to mention his defense and rebounding will improve! That would cinch the victory for UNC. This guy gets wide open shots all game every game. He is projected to be drafted in the 2nd round of NBA draft. So without question, he is super talented and very well could explode on Sat. after a week to heal up!
Imagine having J. Williams start, play well, then sit out and in comes M. Williams (6th man) who is NBA lottery pick talent. The whole time you also have Sean May to deal with down low. Sean May is the guy who creates the biggest mismatch. If he gets his thing going, then it makes so easy for Jawad and Marvin to get their job done and both will always have fresh legs. Not to mention UNC has Felton, McCants, etc all on the outside just waiting to drill their treys!
If J. Williams plays the way he can, UNC will blow out every opponent they face. All he has to do is drain "OPEN" shots, which is something he has not done the last 7+ games. This will make opposing defenses guard him and make it easier on the rest of his teamates on the court. Instead, UNC has been getting 1-6 shooting type performances from this talented player. That is why UNC has not blown out or beat their last two opponents convincingly!
BTW, Illinois doesn't have anybody who matches up physically with Sean May, J. Williams, and Marvin Williams. Similar to Illinois not having anybody who matched up with Frye and Adams from AZ. We all know how the AZ game went and how AZ exploited those matchups! UNC has 3 advantages to exploit while AZ had 2. The problem is one of UNC's advantages is playing piss poor ball. That still leaves UNC with 2 advantages over Illinois, and 3 advantages over Illinois if J. Williams gets back his game! J. Williams who is a senior and a starter who has 1 week of rest to heal up, is not a reach in hoping he gets back his game!
