UNC Basketball vs. Miami: Game info, preview and more

The UNC Basketball team hits the road as they look to improve to 4-1 in ACC play when they take on the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday

The North Carolina Tar Heels look to move to 3-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference road games as they travel down to Florida to take on the Miami Hurricanes.

After opening up the ACC season with back-to-back road wins, the Tar Heels had a slip-up at home against Louisville last Saturday before holding off Notre Dame in Chapel Hill on Tuesday.

They now sit at 3-1 in conference play and are looking to keep pace at the top of the conference as Virginia and Duke will do battle on Saturday night. A win for the Tar Heels could mean a share of first place depending on the result in Durham but at the very least they would be tied for third.

The Tar Heels have looked good in both of their conference road games so far this season, beating up Pitt and then leading from start to finish against NC State. In fact, they’ve played some of their best basketball on the road in the early part of the conference season.

Miami enters the game at 9-7 overall and 1-3 in the ACC after picking up their first conference win last Saturday over Wake Forest.

The Hurricanes are in a rebuilding year and have really struggled so far this season. They are averaging 76.5 points per game which is good for 11th in the nation, while giving up 70.1 points per game ranking 145th.

They are led by guard Chris Lykes who leads the team with 17.9 points and 3.6 assists per game this season. Miami has five players averaging double-digits in points per game with all five playing in over 27 minutes per game. But after that, the production drops off a little.

Ebuka Izundu is averaging 11.8 points per game as a center, the lowest among those five and after him the next highest is Sam Waardenburg who averages 5.1 points per game.

Izundu could cause some problems for the Tar Heels in the paint, especially if Sterling Manley is out again. The senior center is averaging 9.5 rebounds per game, almost a double-double for the Hurricanes and could be a factor on the boards. This is going to be a game where Garrison Brooks will have to step up and at times, Brandon Huffman when he is in the game as well.

Key to the game for UNC

Win on the boards. The Tar Heels have found success when they win the advantage on the glass both offensively and defensively. UNC has won the rebounding margin in 14 of their first 17 games so far this season and were winners in 12 of those games.

It’s important for the Tar Heels to control the glass, limiting teams to one trip down the floor and getting their own second chances.

When the Tar Heels are able to limit teams to one trip down the floor and get run-outs, it often leads to success for them. Look for the Tar Heels to run their fast-paced offense and force Miami to play their style of game. But by doing that, they are going to need to win the rebounding margin.

Key to the game for Miami

Make your threes. This has become a common theme for teams against the Tar Heels over the years. UNC hasn’t been good at defending the perimeter and teams have taken advantage of that.

Louisville made 42 percent of their three-point attempts in last Saturday’s win over UNC, draining 11 of them. That was a big part of the reason why Louisville was able to get out to a hot start and put the Tar Heels away.

The Cardinals also had an inside presence that gave the Tar Heels fits down low. UNC really had no answer center Steven Enoch all game long.. If Miami can find a way to do the same, they have a shot at winning.

What you need to know

What? UNC 13-4 (3-1) at Miami 9-7 (1-3)
When? Saturday, January 18, Noon EST
Where? Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida
TV? ESPN2
Radio? Tar Heels Sports Network
All-Time series? North Carolina leads 22-8
Prediction? UNC 80, Miami 76