Tar Heels Stumble in Miami as Post-Duke Hangover Hits Hard
Coming off an emotional high after their rivalry win over Duke, North Carolina ran headfirst into a classic trap game-and Miami made them pay for it.
With just a few days to regroup and a road trip to Coral Gables on the schedule, the Tar Heels looked every bit like a team still coming down from a Saturday night adrenaline rush. Miami, meanwhile, came out with urgency and purpose, knowing a win over a top-tier ACC opponent could do wonders for their NCAA Tournament résumé. And from the opening tip, it was clear which team had more gas in the tank.
The Hurricanes came out firing, hitting nearly 80% of their shots through the first 10 minutes. That’s not just hot shooting-that’s a team locked in. They hustled, they crashed the boards, and they outworked a UNC squad that looked like it left its legs back in Chapel Hill.
The contrast in energy was striking. Miami played with the kind of edge and desperation you’d expect from a team on the bubble.
North Carolina, on the other hand, looked like it was still emotionally spent from its biggest win of the season. And that’s the danger of rivalry games-no matter how much coaches preach consistency, emotional letdowns are real.
Several of the Tar Heels’ key contributors felt the effects of the short turnaround. Caleb Wilson, who’s been a steady force all season, was limited to 12 points and six rebounds-and dealt with what appeared to be a left-hand or wrist issue that needed taping during the second half.
Henri Veesaar struggled again in the paint, finishing with 11 points and six boards but never really asserting himself. Derek Dixon couldn’t find his rhythm from deep, going 0-for-6 from three, and Seth Trimble, Saturday’s hero, was held to just four points-all from the free-throw line.
This wasn’t about X’s and O’s. This wasn’t about game planning. This was about energy, effort, and execution-and Miami brought more of all three.
It’s easy in moments like this to point fingers at the coaching staff, but this one doesn’t fall on Hubert Davis. The game plan wasn’t the issue.
The execution was. Even when you're not at 100%, even when the legs are heavy and the emotions are drained, you’ve got to find a way to compete.
Miami did. UNC didn’t.
And the result was a missed opportunity.
The good news? There’s still time to reset.
The Tar Heels have seven games left in the regular season, and every one of them matters for seeding and momentum heading into March. But they’ll need to bounce back quickly, because next up is Pittsburgh-led by Jeff Capel, who always seems to have a little extra fire when facing North Carolina.
His Panthers will be ready.
The Duke win was a statement. But what comes next will say even more about who this Tar Heels team really is.