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

The UNC basketball program faces their first tough test in Atlantic Coast Conference play as they head on the road Tuesday to take on a Miami team that sits atop the standings in mid-January.

Miami is 5-1 in ACC play entering this game but are coming off their first loss of the season in league play at the hands of Florida State. Prior to that, they won four straight to start the year including an impressive win at Duke. Overall, the Hurricanes are 13-4 and are playing their best basketball after a slow start to the year.

But this is a chance for the Tar Heels to make a statement early on, and Hubert Davis’ team is playing some of their best basketball of the year.

After opening up conference play in December with a win over Georgia Tech, UNC is now 4-1 with their lone loss to Notre Dame on the road. They have won two straight since that game including a big one at home against Virginia.

UNC has been able to keep pace with their play lately to set up this showdown and that’s thanks in large part to Armando Bacot. The junior has rallied off seven-straight double-double performances and is coming off a 29-point and 12-rebound performance.

For Miami, Kameron McGusty is leading the way and could be the favorite for ACC player of the year early on. The senior guard is averaging 18 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 49.8 percent from the field. Guards Isaiah Wong (15.9 PPG) and Charlie Moore (12.8 PPG) are also helping power the Hurricanes as that trio is among the best in the league.

But it will also be a tough test for the Hurricanes as well.

Key to Victory

The guard play. We mentioned the trio that is powering the Hurricanes, all three averaging in double digits scoring. But UNC is going to have to try and limit that production on defense while matching it on the offensive end.

And that starts with both Caleb Love and R.J. Davis.

The duo have both had their inconsistencies at times this season but Saturday they really need to both have big games if UNC wants a chance in this one. If both struggle, the Tar Heels could find themselves in a hole early on.

Leaky Black and Kerwin Walton both will also play a factor on the wing but in different roles. Black will have more of a presence on the defensive side of the floor, trying to limit the damage from the trio while Walton will be called upon for his shooting. Let’s see if all four can get on track.

Something to Watch

Playing a good team is always tough in this conference but doing so on the road is even tougher and that’s what the Tar Heels face on Tuesday night. This is going to be an energetic crowd in Miami and UNC has to do their best to not fall behind big early. Instead, they need to come out and land the first punch, the second punch and keep going.

Get a lead and take the crowd out of it if you want any chance in this one.

Projected Starters

No. 4 R.J. Davis (So., 6-0, 175) – 13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.8 apg
No. 2 Caleb Love (So., 6-4, 195) – 15.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.4 apg
No. 1 Leaky Black (Sr., 6-8 200) – 3.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.3 apg
No. 45 Brady Manek (So. 6-9, 230) – 12.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.5 apg
No. 5 Armando Bacot (Jr., 6-10, 240) – 17.4 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 1.5 bpg

What You Need To Know

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (12-4, 4-1 ACC) AT Miami Hurricanes (13-4, 5-1 ACC)
WHEN? Tuesday,  January 18 – 7:00 p.m. EST
WHERE? Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida
TV? ACCN
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
LINE? Miami +2.5
LAST MEETING? UNC beat Miami 67-65 on January 5, 2021
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads all-time 26-8
PREDICTION? Miami 71, UNC 69

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