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Previewing Saturday's UNC basketball game vs. Miami in Chapel Hill
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- Previewing Saturday's UNC basketball game vs. Miami in Chapel Hill
You have every reason to view Saturday as a trap game for the UNC basketball team , as it tries to further make its case for an NCAA Tournament berth with a 12 p.m. tip against ACC-worst Miami (FL).
North Carolina (18-11, 11-6 ACC) is exactly where it wants to be for a March Madness push, winning its past four games, with its past three victories coming in convincing fashion. Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis, who recently earned a contract extension through 2030, is playing a traditional lineup combination transforming his team into a consistent winner.
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Miami (6-22, 2-15), just two years removed from a Final Four appearance, is struggling since legendary head coach Jim Larrañaga retired in December. The Hurricanes won their first three games to start 2024, but haven't been on a winning streak since. Star guard Nijel Pack hasn't played since a late 2024 injury, while Matthew Cleveland and Lynn Kidd are the only players scoring in double-digits.
If there's one thing UNC is doing right this season, though, it's beating less-than-stellar competition. North Carolina's lone losses against ACC opponents – below them in the standings – came against reeling Pitt and a solid Stanford squad, the latter of which is sixth.
Ideally, the Tar Heels win Saturday's matchup by double-digits. UNC just needs to win at this point – and it doesn't matter how. Miami (FL) presents a golden opportunity for North Carolina to pick up a dominant win, but players can't underestimate the Hurricanes, no matter how much they're struggling.
Key to victory for UNC
Feb 24, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tarheels forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) pokes Florida State Seminoles forward Alier Maluk (21) in the eye as he shoots the ball during the first half at Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Two areas the Tar Heels really impressed me in during Monday's big victory at Florida State: offensive rebounding and second-chance points.
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UNC went up against the nation's second tallest team in the Seminoles, who sport five players at least 6'10" on their roster, out-rebounding them by 14. North Carolina grabbed 35 rebounds to FSU's 21, which included a 13-4 advantage on the offensive glass.
Miami has just one player 6'10" or taller: starting center Lynn Kidd. If the Tar Heels want to win Saturday's game and stay on bubble watch for the NCAA Tournament, they need to crash the boards and bully the Hurricanes down low.
Something to Watch
Feb 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cade Tyson (5) shoots a three point shot as Virginia Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely (11) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Cade Tyson played one of his better games in 14 minutes off the bench on Monday night in Tallahassee, scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds, including his lone offensive rebound that gave UNC a 36-34 advantage in the first half.
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I've watched games like Monday, where Tyson looks confident and can be a reliable contributor capable of helping North Carolina win games. I've also watched game where, after his first 3-point miss, Tyson disappears and quickly heads back to the bench.
On Saturday, I'm looking to see how much Hubert plays Tyson.
What you need to know
TarHeelsWire How to Watch
What: North Carolina Tar Heels (18-11, 11-6 ACC) vs. Miami Hurricanes (6-22, 2-15)
When: Saturday, March 1 at 12 p.m. ET
Where: Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC
TV:ESPN
Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 383 or 384)
Line: N/A
Last Meeting: UNC 75, Miami 71 on February 26, 2024 in Chapel Hill
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All-Time Series: UNC leads, 28-10
Statistical Leaders
North Carolina Points: RJ Davis, G, 17.4 points per game
North Carolina Rebounds: Seth Trimble, G, 5.4 rebounds per game
North Carolina Assists: Elliot Cadeau , G, 6.0 assists per game
Miami Points: Matthew Cleveland, G, 16.3 points per game
Miami Rebounds: Lynn Kidd, C, 7.1 rebounds per game
Miami Assists: Divine Ugochukwu, G, 2.1 assists per game
2024-2025 UNC basketball schedule
Oct. 12: Blue-White Scrimmage (Blue 62, White 53)
Oct. 15: Exhibition @ Memphis (W, 84-76)
Oct. 27: Exhibition vs. Johnson C. Smith (W, 127-63)
Nov. 4: vs. Elon (W, 90-76) (1-0, 0-0)
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Nov. 8: at Kansas (L, 92-89) (1-1, 0-0)
Nov. 15: vs. American University (W, 108-55) (2-1, 0-0)
Nov. 22: at Hawaii (W, 87-69) (3-1, 0-0)
Nov. 25: vs. Dayton, Maui Invitational (W, 92-90) (4-1, 0-0)
Nov. 26: vs. Auburn , Maui Invitational (L, 85-72) (4-2, 0-0)
Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State , Maui Invitational (L, 94-90 OT) (4-3, 0-0)
Dec. 4: vs. Alabama , SEC/ACC Challenge (L, 94-79) (4-4, 0-0)
Dec. 7: vs. Georgia Tech (W, 68-65) (5-4, 1-0 ACC)
Dec. 14: vs. La Salle (W, 93-67) (6-4, 1-0)
Dec. 17: vs. Florida , Jumpman Invitational (L, 90-84) (6-5, 1-0)
Dec. 21: vs. UCLA , CBS Sports Classic (W, 76-74) (7-5, 1-0)
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Dec. 29: vs. Campbell (W, 97-81) (8-5, 1-0)
Jan. 1: at Louisville (L, 83-70) (8-6, 1-1)
Jan. 4: at Notre Dame (W, 74-73) (9-6, 2-1)
Jan. 7: vs. SMU (W, 82-67) (10-6, 3-1)
Jan. 11: at NC State (W, 63-61) (11-6, 4-1)
Jan. 15: vs. California (W, 79-53) (12-6, 5-1)
Jan. 18: vs. Stanford (L, 72-71) (12-7, 5-2)
Jan. 21: at Wake Forest (L, 67-66) (12-8, 5-3)
Jan. 25: vs. Boston College (W, 102-96) (13-8, 6-3)
Jan. 28: at Pitt (L, 73-65) (13-9, 6-4)
Feb. 1: at Duke (L, 87-70) (13-10, 6-5)
Feb. 8: vs. Pitt (W, 67-66) (14-10, 7-5)
Feb. 10: at Clemson (L, 85-65) (14-11, (7-6)
Feb. 15: at Syracuse (W 88-82) (15-11, (8-6)
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Feb. 19: vs. NC State (W, 97-73) (16-11, 9-6)
Feb. 22: vs. Virginia
Feb. 24: at Florida State
March 1: vs. Miami (FL)
March 4: at Virginia Tech
March 8: vs. Duke
March 11-15: ACC Tournament (Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball vs. Miami: Game preview, info, prediction and more
