Tar Heels Look to Stay Hot Against Surging Miami Squad
MIAMI - North Carolina’s season is already shaping up to be one of the most complete résumés in college basketball, but Tuesday night in Miami offers another opportunity to add a signature win to the ledger - and avoid a classic letdown in the process.
Fresh off a gutsy comeback win over rival Duke, the No. 11 Tar Heels roll into Coral Gables riding a five-game win streak.
Momentum is on their side, but so is the target on their back. Tip-off against a resurgent Miami squad is set for 7 p.m.
ET on ESPN.
For UNC, this is about more than just extending a streak - it’s about stacking Quad-1 wins. They’ve already got five, and a sixth would only strengthen their case for a high seed come March. But Miami isn’t the same team that stumbled through last season.
A New Era in Coral Gables
The Hurricanes have quietly become one of the ACC’s most intriguing stories. Just over a year ago, the program was at a crossroads. Longtime head coach Jim Larrañaga stepped down in December 2024, and Miami limped to a 7-24 finish, managing just three wins in conference play.
Fast forward to now, and things look very different.
Jai Lucas, the former Duke associate head coach, took over and injected a fresh energy into the program. Expectations were modest heading into the 2025-26 season - most projections had Miami finishing in the ACC’s lower tier. But Lucas and his squad have flipped the script.
At 18-5 overall and 7-3 in the ACC, Miami has climbed into the conference’s upper half. The Hurricanes’ early losses to Florida, BYU, and Clemson were followed by defeats against Florida State and California, but since then, they’ve found their footing. Wins over Wake Forest and Syracuse currently qualify as Quad-1, and a victory over UNC would be a statement - and potentially a season-defining moment.
Miami’s Offensive Firepower
What makes the Hurricanes dangerous is their offensive efficiency. They lead the ACC in field goal percentage at 51 percent and rank fourth in scoring. That’s not just about hot shooting - it’s about execution, spacing, and a roster that knows how to find high-percentage looks.
At the center of it all is Malik Reneau. The Indiana transfer has become the heartbeat of this team, averaging 20 points per game on 56.5 percent shooting.
He’s a matchup problem in the post, but also capable of stepping out and making plays. Add 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists to that stat line, and you’ve got a forward who’s doing a little bit of everything.
In the backcourt, Tre Donaldson - a Michigan transfer - is the engine. He leads the team in minutes, and his 15.9 points and 6.2 assists per game speak to his dual-threat ability as both a scorer and facilitator. He’s the guy who keeps the offense humming.
Then there’s Shelton Henderson, the freshman forward who originally committed to Duke before following Lucas to Miami. He’s been a revelation, averaging 14.5 points on a blistering 61.5 percent shooting clip. For a first-year player, his efficiency and poise have been impressive.
What UNC Needs to Do
For the Tar Heels, this game is going to be won - or lost - on the defensive end. Miami doesn’t rely heavily on the three-point shot, but they can get hot from deep in a hurry. What really makes them dangerous, though, is their ability to score inside and draw fouls.
“They don’t take a ton of threes, but they can make them,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said. “Their persistence in the paint - whether it’s through post-ups, drives, offensive rebounds - it’s tough to deal with.
And they get to the free throw line a lot. That puts pressure on your defense and your depth.”
Davis knows his team can’t afford to let Miami dictate the pace or live at the line. Carolina will need to stay disciplined, protect the paint, and control the glass - all while keeping their own offensive rhythm intact.
This is the kind of matchup that tests a team’s maturity. UNC is coming off an emotional high, but Miami isn’t the kind of opponent you can sleepwalk through. The Hurricanes are hungry, confident, and playing their best basketball of the season.
Tuesday night, we’ll find out if the Tar Heels can keep rolling - or if Miami’s rise continues with a statement win on their home floor.