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Five takeaways from UNC setting season-high 5-game winning streak on Saturday vs. Miami
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- Five takeaways from UNC setting season-high 5-game winning streak on Saturday vs. Miami
The North Carolina Tar Heels are playing their best basketball of the 2024-2025 season – and it couldn't come at a more opportune time.
UNC faced several questions about its legitimacy in early February, losing to the ACC's top two programs in Duke and Clemson , in a span of three games. North Carolina showed it knew how to trade punches with the country's top teams, playing them close until the final minutes, but never able to close out.
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The Tar Heels still need one more signature win to make the NCAA Tournament, but their recent stretch of consecutive wins is a good start. UNC pulled away from the ACC-worst Miami (FL) Hurricanes on Saturday, earning a 92-73 victory after pulling away in the second half.
With Saturday's win, North Carolina (19-11, 12-6 ACC) set a new season-best 5-game winning streak. Six Tar Heels scored in double-figures, led by 19 from starting center Ven-Allen Lubin , who recorded his highest point total in a UNC uniform. Jae'Lyn Withers, North Carolina's now-starting power forward, registered 11 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double in three games.
The Tar Heels face what should be an easy test on March 4, as they travel to Blacksburg, Va. for a 7 p.m. tip, in their road finale against Virginia Tech. The Hokies (13-16, 8-10), well out of the March Madness picture themselves, should be extremely motivated to play spoiler.
Before we shift our focus to Tuesday, let us give you five takeaways from today's big win against Miami (6-23, 2-16), which will miss the ACC Tournament.
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When Jae'Lyn Withers makes 3-pointers, UNC is tough to stop
Mar 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks to forward Jae'Lyn Withers (24) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
If you couldn't tell from today's postgame interviews, you'll be hard-pressed to find a UNC basketball player having more fun than Jae'Lyn Withers right now.
Withers, North Carolina's starting power forward, recorded his third double-double of the season – and second in three games, during Saturday's 92-73 victory over Miami (FL).
What impressed us most about Withers' game, besides his post presence, was a rejuvenated perimeter shooting ability. Withers knocked down both of his 3-point attempts against the Hurricanes – and is now 13-for-20 in his past six games.
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The Tar Heels are now 5-1 in games where Withers makes multiple threes.
Ven-Allen Lubin is efficient – and UNC's best option at center
Mar 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) shoots as Miami (Fl) Hurricanes forward Kiree Huie (15) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Jalen Washington is a solid, tall (6'10") option at center, but Ven-Allen Lubin cemented himself as UNC's starting center on Saturday against Miami (FL).
Lubin led North Carolina with 19 points in its 92-73 victory, making nine of his 10 shots, plus grabbing five rebounds. Hubert also praised Lubin's physicality in Saturday's postgame press conference – even if Lubin wasn't ripping down boards, he was affecting the Hurricanes with his defensive presence.
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Though Washington knows the Tar Heels' system better, Lubin brings more experience, starting every game for Vanderbilt during the 2023-2024 campaign – and seven for Notre Dame the year before.
When UNC shares the ball...good things happen
Mar 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) dribbles as Miami (Fl) Hurricanes forward Brandon Johnson (2) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
North Carolina played its most well-rounded offensive game on Saturday against Miami, with six players scoring in double-figures.
Lubin led the way with 19 points, Drake Powell scored 16, RJ Davis added 13 and Withers contributed 11 in the starting lineup. Ian Jackson chipped in 11 points off the bench, plus Seth Trimble recorded 10.
UNC generated 17 assists, anchored by four apiece from Withers, Cadeau and Davis, compared to just 11 for Miami. If the Tar Heels can keep sharing the ball like Saturday, which keeps opponent guessing on who's the scoring threat, the Tar Heels can make noise come March.
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Perimeter defensive woes are solved...for now
Mar 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (Fl) Hurricanes forward Brandon Johnson (2) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
In past UNC losses, defending the 3-point shot was a major problem. After Brandon Johnson knocked down his first 3-point attempt for Miami in the opening minutes Saturday, I feared we might be headed for a barrage.
Instead, the Tar Heels limited the visiting Hurricanes to just nine makes on 30 attempts, which translates to exactly 30 percent. That figure isn't ice-cold, but much better than North Carolina allowing opponents to shoot 50 percent.
Drake Powell's offensive abilities aren't praised enough
Mar 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Drake Powell (9) shoots as Miami (Fl) Hurricanes forward Kiree Huie (15) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
We continue to praise Drake Powell for his lockdown defensive abilities, but he's quite the bucket, something he proved in UNC's 92-73 win over Miami on Saturday.
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Powell was an extremely efficient scorer, tallying 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting and making all four of his free throw attempts. Powell didn't need to launch 30 shots a game like Steph Curry , but instead made the most of his chances.
Another trend we're seeing in North Carolina's winning streak is different scorers stepping up each game. If Powell can continue to be this guy, just how far can the Tar Heels go?
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball five takeaways from 92-73, March 1 victory over Miami
