Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball looks to build momentum vs. Miami

By Nick Delahanty

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 11: Teammates help up Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels after a three-point basket against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 11, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 11: Teammates help up Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels after a three-point basket against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 11, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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After a dominant victory over Clemson, the UNC basketball program looks to gain some momentum as they host Miami on Monday night. 

It’s another big game for the UNC basketball program, as they’ll host the ranked Miami Hurricanes on Monday night in Chapel Hill.

The Tar Heels are arguably coming off their best performance of the 2022-2023 season, as they dominated the Clemson Tigers on Saturday afternoon. At this point, North Carolina is still fighting for its NCAA Tournament berth, as a win against the Hurricanes would be huge in terms of gaining momentum as the end of the regular season approaches.

It will be a tough task, as the Hurricanes are coming in having won four of its last five contests. However, the Tar Heels have been very good at home this season, and the Hurricanes have struggled a bit on the road in ACC play, as home-court advantage could certainly help the Tar Heels.

Key to Victory for North Carolina

The Tar Heels will have a size advantage in this one, but Miami’s versatility may be a challenge for North Carolina, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Miami currently leads the ACC in scoring and has multiple players who have the ability to put the ball in the basket.

The key in this one will be on the defensive end, as the Tar Heels must give a strong effort to slow down the Hurricanes’ offensive attack. Miami likes to get out and run, similar to the UNC basketball program’s style of play, as this game could easily turn into a track meet between the two sides.

If the Tar Heels want to win this one, they must match up with the Hurricanes’ versatility.

Something to Watch For

The question that comes before every North Carolina basketball game this season: which Tar Heels team will show up?

We all hope that the team that came to play on Saturday will take the floor on Monday night, but this group has been inconsistent throughout the season.

Can the Tar Heels find their consistency and put together back-to-back strong performances?

Time will only tell.

Last Meeting

Miami defeated North Carolina in convincing fashion by a score of 85-57 on January 18, 2022, in Coral Gables. Miami led by 27 at halftime and UNC’s deficit reached as high as 33 points during the second half.

Projected Starting Lineup

No. 4 R.J. Davis (Jr., 6-0, 175) – 15.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.4 apg
No. 2 Caleb Love (Jr., 6-4, 200) – 16.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.0 apg
No. 1 Leaky Black (Gr., 6-9 205) – 6.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.4 apg
No. 32 Pete Nance (Gr. 6-11, 230) – 10.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.5 apg
No. 5 Armando Bacot (Sr., 6-11, 235) – 17.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.0 bpg
 

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