Heel Tough Blog: Miami Preview
- Joshua Marlow
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
After Saturday’s big win over Duke, the Tar Heels have to come off that emotional high and get ready to play a very good Miami tonight in Coral Gables, looking to extend their winning streak to six games. The win over Duke was by far the most important win of the season, as well as the most emotional, as Carolina secured their first ever buzzer-beater in the history of the storied rivalry, and for as much worry as you have in the game before the Duke, the same concerns exist in the game afterwards, where you’re looking to avoid the letdown.
Monday was a newsworthy day for Carolina Basketball, with Caleb Wilson earning both ACC Player of the Week honors and Naismith National Player of the Week honors after leading UNC to big wins over Syracuse and Duke. In addition to that, the ACC did officially fine the UNC program $50,000 for the court storming incident that took place after the win over Duke on Saturday night. Furthermore, the team did climb three spots in the AP Poll, as Carolina is now ranked 11th, with a 19-4 record so far this season.
Miami has been one of the biggest surprises so far this season, putting themselves in the NCAA Tournament conversation at 18-5 overall, and 7-3 in the league. They’ve been really good at home, where they are 12-2, and will look to improve upon that mark later tonight. They feature a high-scoring, efficient offense that averages over 84 points per game, while leading the league in field goal percentage. Four Miami players average double figures in scoring, led by Malik Reneua, and his 20.0 points per game, followed by Tre Donaldson (15.9), Shelton Henderson (14.5), and Tru Washington (11.9). Their offense is fueled by their ability to make shots inside the three-point line, as they are third in the country in two-point field goals made, averaging 24.0 per game.
Saturday’s win over Duke improved Carolina’s record to 5-4 in Quad 1 games, and improved their NCAA Tournament outlook to where most bracketologists have UNC on the top four seed line for this year’s tournament. With 8 games left in the regular season, and many of them in the Quad 1 category, the Tar Heels have a chance to solidify their NCAA Tournament position, while chasing the double-bye for the ACC Tournament as well. A win tonight would go a long way to ensuring that both of those happen. Here’s how Carolina can do just that:
Carry Over Defensive Effort: The last 8 minutes of the Duke was some of the best defense Carolina has played all season long, especially in ACC play. They held Duke scoreless over the final 2:51, while closing the game on a 9-0 run. A lot has been made about the lack of fouls that were called on Carolina, but it was evidence of what’s possible when you play defense with your feet, you communicate, and contest shots at the rim. That defensive effort needs to carry over onto the road, especially against a team that will look to attack inside-out, which isn’t always the case in the modern game.
Get Caleb Wilson Some Help: Caleb Wilson proved on Saturday that he’s capable of keeping his team in the game, but he needs help to push Carolina over the top. In the first half on Saturday, non-Caleb Wilson players were 4-20, and that’s a reason why UNC was down 12 at the half. On the road, Wilson will need more help in the first half tonight, primarily from both Henri Veesaar and Derek Dixon.
REBOUND: Even with the Duke win, rebounding needs to be reinforced to this team, after getting outrebounded by double digits on Saturday, after Carolina didn’t grab a rebound until after 8 minutes had already been played. In their two biggest ACC wins so far, Virginia and Duke, Carolina was able to win while being outrebounded, but that won’t always be the case. Outside of Wilson and Veesaar, they need more help on both ends of the floor, rebounding, starting with Jarin Stevenson and Jonathan Powell. Simply put, if UNC gets outrebounded once again tonight, it’ll only make it that much tougher to win the game.
Series History:
Carolina is 29-10 all-time against Miami, and is 11-4 in the Watsco Center, the site of tonight’s game. Carolina has won 8 of the last 10, with three wins across the previous two seasons.
KenPom:
North Carolina - 25th overall. Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 123.2 (18th) Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 100.8 (48th)
Miami - 41st overall. Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 118.9 (52nd) Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 100.4 (42nd)
NET:
North Carolina - 22nd
Miami - 37th.
TV Info:
Tonight’s game will air on ESPN, starting at 7 PM.
The Four Corners Podcast: