If Hubert Davis is still feeling the aftershocks of Saturday night, you can bet his players are riding that same emotional wave. North Carolina’s head coach admitted he was “still a little bit numb” following the Tar Heels’ dramatic 71-68 win over archrival Duke - a game that had all the intensity and electricity you’d expect from one of college basketball’s most storied rivalries.
But the celebration can’t last long. The 11th-ranked Tar Heels (19-4, 7-3 ACC) now head south to face a surging Miami Hurricanes squad (18-5, 7-3) on Tuesday night in what promises to be another emotionally charged ACC showdown - this time on the road.
Miami’s Reinvention Under Jai Lucas
Miami’s recent basketball history reads like a roller coaster. The Hurricanes reached unprecedented heights with a Final Four run in 2023, only to crash hard in the seasons that followed - including a brutal 7-24 campaign last year. But Jai Lucas has come in and flipped the script in a hurry.
In his first season at the helm, Lucas has Miami playing with confidence and purpose. And he’s no stranger to the Tar Heels, having spent the past three seasons on the Duke bench as an assistant and associate head coach. That familiarity adds an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup.
Miami isn’t deep - they got just seven points off the bench in Saturday’s 74-68 win at Boston College - and they’ve struggled on the perimeter. The Hurricanes rank last in the ACC in defending the three (35.3%) and just 12th in the conference in three-point shooting (34.2%).
But here’s the thing: they don’t need to live and die by the three. Miami leads the ACC in overall field-goal percentage (51.1%) because they dominate inside. That’s by design.
“That’s how we’re built,” Lucas said. “We have a formula of points in the paint.
We’re big. We’re physical.
We have to fight for our identity.”
And big they are. The Hurricanes’ starting frontcourt is a load - 6-foot-11, 265-pound Ernest Udeh Jr. anchors the paint, flanked by Malik Reneau (6-9, 235) and Shelton Henderson (6-6, 240). Even their shooting guard, Dante Allen, looks like he could suit up for the football team at 6-4, 220.
The fifth starter, point guard Tre Donaldson, may be listed at 6-2, 195, but he plays with a much bigger presence. Donaldson is second on the team in scoring (15.9) and ranks fourth in the ACC in assists (6.2). He’s a second-half closer - just ask Boston College, who watched him drop 13 of his 14 points after halftime on Saturday.
Donaldson’s connection with Reneau has been a key to Miami’s success. Reneau is one of the ACC’s most consistent interior scorers, ranking fifth in the league in points per game (20.0), sixth in field-goal percentage (56.5%), and 17th in rebounding (6.5). He’s a technician in the paint, often using the glass to his advantage.
Udeh brings the muscle on the boards, ranking second in the conference with 9.6 rebounds per game. Henderson adds scoring punch (14.5 ppg, 19th in the ACC) and unmatched efficiency, shooting a blistering 61.5% from the field - third-best in the league.
Freshman Dante Allen, averaging 6.6 points, has stepped into the starting lineup in place of Tru Washington, who’s been away from the team for personal reasons.
Tar Heels Bring Their Own Brand of Size and Skill
North Carolina doesn’t back down from physicality - and they’ve got the size to match it. Caleb Wilson (6-10, 215) and Henri Veesaar (7-0, 225) form a frontcourt duo that’s been a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Wilson has been a force all season, ranking fourth in the ACC in scoring (20.2), field-goal percentage (58.5), and third in rebounding (9.6). He’s as polished as they come around the rim and has shown a knack for stepping up in big moments.
Veesaar has been just as impactful, sitting 10th in the conference in scoring (16.6), fifth in rebounds, and second in field-goal percentage (62.6). His ability to finish with touch and efficiency gives UNC a reliable second option in the paint.
Seth Trimble rounds out the Tar Heels’ trio of double-digit scorers with 14.2 points per game. And of course, Trimble etched his name into UNC lore with that cold-blooded, last-second three-pointer to sink Duke on Saturday.
“It’s special,” Trimble said of the shot. “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.”
What’s at Stake
This one’s got all the makings of a heavyweight clash. Two teams tied in the ACC standings.
One riding high after a rivalry win. The other clawing its way back to national relevance under a new coach.
Miami’s physicality and paint dominance will test UNC’s frontcourt toughness. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels’ balanced scoring and momentum could pose problems for a Hurricanes team that hasn’t always defended well from the perimeter.
It’s not just another conference game - it’s a measuring stick for both programs. And with March creeping closer, every possession, every matchup, and every win matters just a little bit more.