UNC Basketball vs Miami: Game info, preview and prediction

UNC basketball looks to continue its winning streak when they welcome in Miami this Saturday.

The North Carolina Tar Heels will go for the regular season sweep against the Miami Hurricanes this weekend as they look to move to 9-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, staying tied for first place in the conference.

For the Hurricanes, they look to get revenge from the 85-76 loss they suffered at home in the first matchup.

Chris Lykes led Miami with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting, while playing a game-high 36 minutes, pacing the Hurricanes.

Though the game was tied at the half at 37 a piece, the Tar Heels pulled away late in the second half thanks to a 38-23 rebounding margin and 26 assists on 33 made baskets.

It is difficult to think that Miami will be able to play much better than their first matchup, as they shot 49 percent from the field, 42 percent from three, 72 percent from the free throw line while only committing 11 turnovers.

One member of the Hurricanes who wasn’t a factor in their first matchup, who needs to be on Saturday if Miami wants a chance to win, is Dejan Vasiljjevic.

With only three points in 22 minutes against the Tar Heels in the first go-around, he is coming off of his first career double-double, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Key to the game for Miami

For Miami to win this game, it comes down to if they can make shots from deep.

Shooting just 33.9 percent from three as a team, they don’t have enough scorers to beat Carolina by just scoring two-point field goals.

Ranked 100 in the NCAA in three-point attempts, they have capable shooters on their roster, but for whatever reason, their threes just aren’t falling.

Their best three-point shooter, Dejan Vasiljevic (39.6 percent), is shooting just 33 percent in ACC play, making just 6-of-27 in his last four games.

Another capable shooter for the Hurricanes is Chris Lykes, as he shot 35 percent his freshman year. This year, however, he is shooting just 31 percent from deep and is just 5-for-33 in his last five games.

Key to the game for UNC

Carolina just needs to play their game in order to win. They are the better and a more skilled team, so they just can’t beat themselves.

For the Heels, they rank fifth in adjusted tempo according to KenPom, with 76 possessions a game, whereas Miami comes in at 210th in the country at just 67 possessions per game.

With Miami only playing seven guys max, Carolina’s up-tempo game plays right into their hands, especially at home.

Though they need to play their pace, they can’t make the careless turnovers, especially in the open floor, that they have in the past. Since Miami only averages 72 points a game, and struggle in the half court at times, it is imperative that Carolina keeps the ball out of their hands in transition.

What you need to know

What? Miami 10-12 (2-8) vs UNC 18-4 (8-1)
When? Saturday, February 9 – 12:00 pm EST
Where? Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACCN
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-Time series? North Carolina leads series 23-8
Prediction? UNC 89, Miami 70