As the Miami Hurricanes gear up for a marquee clash with 11th-ranked North Carolina, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This isn’t just another ACC matchup - it’s a prime opportunity to bolster their NCAA Tournament résumé and prove they can hang with one of the conference’s elite. And if you ask senior forward Malik Reneau, the Hurricanes are ready to match the Tar Heels’ size and bring the physicality needed to pull off what many would call an upset.
“They’re pretty tall and lengthy,” Reneau said of the Tar Heels. “I think we fit well in our size and guarding them.
I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. We’re going to guard all their sets; it just comes down to one-on-one, guard your man, and guarding your yard.”
That confidence isn’t unfounded. Miami’s frontcourt, anchored by Reneau and senior center Ernest Udeh Jr., brings a mix of toughness and verticality that can disrupt even the most polished offenses. While they bring different tools to the offensive end, defensively they’re cut from the same cloth - long, active, and committed to protecting the paint.
It’s taken time for the duo to find their rhythm together on the floor. As first-time teammates, learning how to complement each other’s game hasn’t been an overnight process. But as the season’s worn on, their chemistry has started to click - and just in time, because UNC’s frontcourt isn’t going to take it easy.
Outside of a rough outing against Florida back in November, Reneau and Udeh Jr. haven’t faced many frontcourts with the kind of length and athleticism UNC brings to the table. That Gators game exposed some early-season growing pains, but Reneau believes they’ve turned a corner.
“I think we have to be the more physical group out of the bunch,” he said. “Being dominant on the court, rebounding the ball at a high aspect, guarding their frontcourt players too. There’s a lot that goes into it, but just being sharp for all 40 minutes and not taking our head off the swivel.”
“Being there for the whole 40 minutes to get this win.”
That 40-minute focus is going to be critical, especially with a player like Caleb Wilson on the other side. The Tar Heels’ freshman phenom has been lighting it up all season, averaging over 20 points per game on nearly 60% shooting, with close to 10 rebounds and a stat-stuffing presence all over the floor. He’s a projected lottery pick for a reason - and slowing him down is going to be a full-team effort.
That’s where freshman Shelton Henderson enters the equation. At 6-foot-6, he doesn’t have the height of Reneau or Udeh Jr., but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in athleticism and versatility. Henderson’s ability to defend multiple positions and bring energy on both ends could be a swing factor, especially if he draws time against Wilson.
Both teams come into this one at 7-3 in ACC play, which only raises the intensity. For Miami, it’s a shot to prove they belong in the national conversation. For UNC, it’s about maintaining momentum and avoiding a slip-up in a hostile environment.
Either way, expect a physical, high-stakes battle in the paint - and a Miami frontcourt that’s ready to meet the moment.