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

The UNC Basketball program hopes to end their five-game losing streak by returning home to take on Miami this Saturday

It’s been a struggle for the North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball program this season, to say the least.

The Tar Heels are 8-10 overall and 1-6 in conference play following their heart-breaking double-overtime loss to Virginia Tech on Wednesday night. It was a game that UNC led late in both the second half and first overtime but just couldn’t hit their free throws or get a game-winning bucket.

Instead of ending their losing streak and possibly turning it around, the frustrations continued to mount for UNC who was short-handed with a seven-player rotation. But Saturday offers another chance to get a bright spot for the program this season. We all know about the struggles scoring, the injury problems and the blown late leads but this team continues to fight through all of that and it would be nice to get them a win at home.

To do that, they are going to have to take down a Miami team that enters the game at 10-8 overall and 2-6 in conference play.

The Hurricanes are coming off a big loss on the road at Duke earlier in the week and have really struggled this season. Their lone ACC wins have come at Clemson and at home against Pitt this season but they are riding a three-game losing streak into Saturday.

Last season, Miami almost pulled off the shocker in Chapel Hill by taking UNC down to the wire in the Dean Dome before the Tar Heels escaped with an 88-85 win in OT. This year, things are a little different as Miami has a legit shot of beating the Tar Heels, which would give them their second win in the Dean Dome in the past three years.

Both teams are struggling and are right around the same average in points per game.

Miami averages 71.8 points per game, while the Tar Heels are at 70.8 points per game. However, every game UNC has reached the 70 point mark they have lost in.

Chris Lykes was the catalyst to almost pulling off the upset last season in Chapel Hill and he enters this game averaging 15.7 points per game to lead Miami. The guard is one of a trio at the position that leads Miami in scoring. Behind Lykes is Dejan Vasiljevic (14.6 points per game) and Kameron McGusty (14.5 points per game).

If North Carolina isn’t careful, Miami’s guards could take this one over early and often. They are talented on the perimeter and UNC will need to be on top of their defensive game to slow them down.

This one very well could come down to who executes down the stretch. Both teams enter with losing streaks and have really struggled to take care of the basketball. It should be a close one in Chapel Hill and could come down to the final minutes where execution will be key. That’s something the Tar Heels have been bad at so far this season, due to their inexperience and really no leader on the floor.

Key to the Game

Play smart and don’t turn it over. The Tar Heels have been in the game in four of their ACC losses so far this season and poor execution down the stretch has cost them. Whether it’s multiple turnovers, bad shots, poor clock management or even breakdowns on defense, UNC just can’t seem to get over that hump. Saturday could provide another opportunity for UNC to close out a game and earn a win.

Miami is also struggling, as noted before, and might be just what UNC needs to end this losing streak they have. The Hurricanes are a well coached team but their talent level isn’t far superior to the Tar Heels and it should be a close matched game.

Player to Watch

Let’s go with Garrison Brooks again. The junior had a monster game for the Tar Heels scoring 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the loss. The Hokies really had no answer for Brooks inside as he took over and gave UNC a second half lead that they couldn’t hold onto.

Brooks is averaging 15.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting 53.6 percent from the field. He’s carried the load for the Tar Heels who have battled through numerous injuries this year.

Hopefully Brooks can continue his stellar play and lead UNC to a victory.

What you need to know

What? Miami 10-8 (2-6 in ACC) AT North Carolina 8-10 (1-6 in ACC)
When? Saturday, January 25, 12:00 p.m. EST
Where? Dean Dome in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ESPN2
Radio? Tar Heel Sports Network
All-time series? UNC leads 24-8
Last meeting? UNC beat Miami 88-85 in OT on Feb. 9, 2019
Line? —
Prediction? UNC 72, Miami 70