Ernest Udeh Delivers Breakout Game as Hurricanes Stun No. 11 UNC
When the lights were brightest, Ernest Udeh delivered his most complete performance of the season - and maybe of his career. In a statement win over No. 11 North Carolina, Udeh was everywhere: scoring, rebounding, defending, and setting the tone for a Hurricanes team that never trailed and walked away with a 75-66 upset that could reshape their season.
This wasn’t just a good game. This was a game-changer.
Udeh logged a career-high 35 minutes and finished with a season-best 15 points and 10 rebounds, notching his fifth double-double of the year. But the stat line only tells part of the story.
The Hurricanes were +15 with him on the floor - a team-high - and it wasn’t hard to see why. He was dominant around the rim, going 7-for-8 from the field with five emphatic dunks, and his presence on both ends of the floor helped Miami control the tempo from the opening tip.
“He was huge,” head coach Jai Lucas said after the win. “I’m on Ernest a lot - probably more than anyone - and he’ll tell you that.
I had to get on him during a timeout because he was showing signs of fatigue. And then right after that?
He grabbed three massive offensive boards and finished a lob. He closed the game for us.
His growth has been amazing.”
That growth was on full display against UNC’s frontcourt. Udeh outplayed Tar Heels big man Henri Veesaar, who finished with 11 points and six boards, and helped Miami win the battle inside.
Udeh’s usage rate hit a season-high 18.1%, and his +3.4 NET rating was his fourth-best performance in ACC play. More importantly, the Hurricanes secured their first conference win over a team with a winning ACC record - a meaningful step as they look to solidify their tournament résumé.
For Udeh, the performance was personal. He’s been holding himself to a high standard all season, and this game felt different from the start.
“I needed this,” Udeh said. “I expect a lot from myself.
I’ve been praying, leaning on my faith, and I just had a great feeling before the game. During shootaround, I hit my first half-court shot - it might not sound like much, but it felt like a sign.
The energy was right in warmups, in the locker room, everywhere. I just wanted to let my energy speak for itself and do what the team expects of me every night.”
That mindset - and maturity - is a big part of why Lucas was so high on Udeh when he entered the transfer portal after two years at TCU.
“It was all about who he is as a person,” Lucas said. “Ernest is one of the best people you’ll ever be around.
He’s a 6’11” lob threat, shot blocker, and one of the best defensive bigs in the country, but more than that, I believed in him because of his character. Guys like that figure it out.
Sometimes they just need a little confidence, and then the switch flips.”
And that switch? It’s looking like it’s officially on.
Defensively, Udeh helped anchor a Hurricanes unit that held UNC to just 39.7% shooting and forced 11 turnovers. It was the kind of gritty, team-first effort that Miami has been searching for - and Udeh was the vocal leader behind it.
“My message to the team was all about defense,” he said. “We knew how skilled they were.
But I tell the guys all the time - if they don’t score, we win. Our offense is going to come.
We’ve got the talent. The key is getting stops, limiting them to one shot, and getting out in transition.
That’s when we’re at our best. We don’t want to slow it down and call plays - we want to run, and we’re dangerous when we do.”
That transition game was on full display, and Udeh’s chemistry with frontcourt partner Malik Reneau - who added 16 points and 10 rebounds - gave Miami a clear edge inside. Together, they outworked and outplayed Veesaar and Caleb Wilson, who combined for 23 points and 12 rebounds but couldn’t match Miami’s physicality or energy.
“Every night we respect our opponents,” Udeh said. “But for me and Malik, it’s about doing what we’ve practiced.
We don’t worry about the hype around the other guys. We just focus on our game plan, execute, and let the results speak for themselves.
That’s what this program is about - doing the right things and getting wins.”
The Hurricanes fed off their home crowd of 7,355, who brought the energy from start to finish. Udeh made sure to shout them out postgame.
“The fans mean everything,” he said. “We knew this was going to be a big one.
We felt it all week. And when you hear them - whether it’s after a dunk, a stop, a free throw - it fuels us.
That energy, that support, it’s part of our success. We’re always grateful for that.”
Next up: a road trip to N.C. State on Saturday. But if Tuesday night was any indication, Ernest Udeh and the Hurricanes are starting to hit their stride - and they’re doing it at just the right time.