Hurricanes Pull Off Another Stunner With Wild Comeback Win Over NC State
Just one game removed from toppling No. 11 North Carolina, the Miami Hurricanes proved that lightning can strike twice - and this time, it came in the form of a furious final-minute rally that stunned NC State on their home floor.
Down seven points with just over a minute to play, Miami looked dead in the water. NC State had just capped off an 11-0 run, the Lenovo Center was rocking, and ESPN’s win probability gave the Wolfpack a 95% chance to close it out. But the Hurricanes weren’t done - not even close.
What followed was an 8-0 blitz in the final 52 seconds that flipped the script and gave Miami a 77-76 road win in one of the wildest finishes of the college basketball season.
It started with Malik Reneau, who’s quickly becoming the heartbeat of this Hurricanes squad. With the game slipping away, he powered through contact for a tough and-one layup, trimming the deficit to four. Then came the defensive spark - Dante Allen picked off a pass, and Tru Washington cleaned up the miss on the other end with a clutch put-back to bring Miami within two.
Suddenly, the pressure was squarely on NC State. Quadir Copeland stepped to the line for a one-and-one - and missed. That opened the door, and Miami head coach Jai Lucas used his final timeout with eight seconds left, needing a three to win it.
The play? Controlled chaos with poise.
Reneau drew the double-team off the inbound and kicked it to Tre Donaldson. Donaldson attacked the lane, forcing Washington’s defender to collapse.
That left Washington wide open on the perimeter - and when the ball swung his way, he rose up for the three. Darrion Williams closed late and fouled him with 2.7 seconds left.
Now here’s the kicker: Washington hadn’t played in the last three games due to personal reasons. But with the game - and maybe Miami’s NCAA Tournament hopes - on the line, the junior guard stepped to the line and calmly sank all three free throws. Ice cold.
NC State’s final prayer - a half-court heave from Matt Able - missed the mark, and the Hurricanes walked off the floor with a massive ACC win that could carry major postseason implications.
A Statement Stretch for the Canes
This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. Miami has spent much of the season hovering around the NCAA Tournament bubble, trying to prove they belong.
Beating North Carolina was big. Following it up with a gritty comeback on the road against a strong NC State team?
That’s how you build a résumé.
Heading into Saturday, the Hurricanes sat fifth in the ACC, just behind the Wolfpack. NC State, at 18-8 overall and 9-4 in conference play, was eyeing a top-four finish and a favorable path in the ACC Tournament. A win over Miami would’ve bolstered their own tournament seeding.
Instead, it’s Miami (now 20-5, 9-3 ACC) who leapfrogs into fourth place in the standings, trailing only Clemson, Virginia, and Duke - three programs already penciled into the NCAA Tournament field.
An Instant Classic in Raleigh
From the opening tip, this one had the feel of a heavyweight fight. The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Miami grabbing a five-point edge midway through the period thanks to a Reneau layup and a Washington three. But NC State responded with a run of their own, taking a 42-37 lead into halftime.
The second half was even tighter. Miami came out firing, using an early 11-3 run to tie things up at 48. Moments later, they took a 58-56 lead behind back-to-back buckets from Donaldson and Reneau.
And from there? It was chaos. The game featured 19 lead changes and 14 ties - a true seesaw battle that kept fans on edge until the final buzzer.
What’s Next
With momentum firmly on their side, the Hurricanes head back to Coral Gables for a Tuesday night clash against Virginia Tech at the Watsco Center. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
If Miami keeps playing like this - fearless, resilient, and clutch when it matters most - they won’t be on the bubble much longer. They’ll be dancing in March.