If Hubert Davis is still feeling the aftershocks of Saturday night, you can bet his North Carolina squad is riding high too. The Tar Heels are coming off a statement win - a 71-68 thriller over archrival Duke - and now they’re heading south for a tricky ACC road test against a resurgent Miami Hurricanes team on Tuesday night.
North Carolina, ranked 14th in the nation, sits at 19-4 overall and 7-3 in the ACC. But this game isn’t just about rankings or records - it’s about how you respond after an emotional high.
And make no mistake, Saturday’s win was as emotionally charged as it gets in college basketball. Davis admitted he was “still a little bit numb” after the buzzer-beater win, and that kind of emotional hangover can be tough to shake, especially on the road.
Miami, meanwhile, is a team that’s been through the wringer and come out swinging. After a historic Final Four run in 2023, the Hurricanes crashed hard, finishing last season at 7-24.
But first-year head coach Jai Lucas has breathed new life into the program. Lucas, just 37 years old and fresh off a three-year stint as a Duke assistant, knows the Tar Heels well - and that familiarity could come in handy Tuesday night.
The Hurricanes are 18-5 overall and 7-3 in the ACC, matching UNC’s conference record. They’ve been tough to beat at home, boasting a 12-2 record in Coral Gables. And while they’re not the deepest squad - their bench chipped in just seven points in Saturday’s win over Boston College - their starting five is built to bully teams in the paint.
Miami leads the ACC in field-goal percentage (51.1%), and that’s no accident. This is a team that thrives inside.
They’re big, they’re physical, and they know exactly who they are. Lucas put it plainly: “We have a formula of points in the paint.
We’re big. We’re physical.
We have to fight for our identity.”
That identity starts with a front line that looks more like a football unit than a basketball one. Ernest Udeh Jr., at 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds, anchors the paint.
He’s second in the ACC in rebounding at 9.6 per game and a force on both ends. Alongside him is Malik Reneau (6-9, 235), who’s been a consistent offensive weapon, ranking fifth in the league in scoring (20.0), sixth in field-goal percentage (56.5%), and 17th in rebounding (6.5).
Reneau does most of his damage around the rim, often using the glass with precision.
Shelton Henderson (6-6, 240) adds more muscle to the frontcourt and brings scoring punch as well, averaging 14.5 points - good for 19th in the ACC - while shooting a blistering 61.5% from the floor, third-best in the conference.
Even their shooting guard, freshman Dante Allen, brings linebacker size at 6-4, 220. Allen has stepped into the starting lineup in place of Tru Washington, who’s been away due to personal reasons. Allen’s averaging 6.6 points and continues to grow into his role.
At the point, Tre Donaldson runs the show. He’s listed at 6-2, 195, but plays much bigger than that.
Donaldson is second on the team in scoring (15.9) and ranks fourth in the ACC in assists (6.2). He’s also got a knack for closing strong - 13 of his 14 points came in the second half against Boston College.
He’s the engine that keeps Miami’s offense humming, and he’s especially good at feeding Reneau in the post.
But the Tar Heels aren’t exactly undersized themselves. Caleb Wilson (6-10, 215) and Henri Veesaar (7-0, 225) give North Carolina a towering frontcourt of their own.
Wilson has been a two-way force, ranking fourth in the ACC in scoring (20.2) and field-goal percentage (58.5%), and third in rebounding (9.6). Veesaar is right behind him in several categories - 10th in scoring (16.6), fifth in rebounding, and second in field-goal percentage (62.6%).
Seth Trimble rounds out UNC’s top scoring trio at 14.2 points per game. And of course, he’s the hero of the moment after drilling the game-winning three-pointer to sink Duke.
“It’s special,” Trimble said. “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.”
Tuesday night’s matchup is more than just another conference game. It’s a clash between two physical, interior-focused teams with plenty of star power and postseason aspirations.
For North Carolina, it’s a test of emotional maturity - can they refocus after the Duke win and bring the same intensity on the road? For Miami, it’s a chance to prove their turnaround is real - and that they can hang with the ACC’s elite.
One thing’s for sure: with the size, talent, and stakes on display, this one’s going to be a battle in the paint - and one worth watching closely.