Another day, another must win game for UNC basketball.
Winners of four straight, the Tar Heels will look to extend that winning streak on Saturday in the Dean Smith Center against Miami. UNC will be huge favorites against the worst team in the ACC, but it can't afford to get comfortable.
With just three games remaining in the regular season, and the Tar Heels sitting on the outside looking in according to Joe Lunardi, a loss on Saturday would put their season on the brink.
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 18-11
Conference Record: 11-6
Home Record: 11-2
Away Record: 5-6
Neutral Site Record: 2-3
Miami Hurricanes
Overall record: 6-22
Conference Record: 2-15
Home Record: 6-10
Away Record: 0-8
Neutral Site Record: 0-4
Key Players
North Carolina
RJ Davis (Gr. Guard) – 17.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists
Ian Jackson (Fr. Guard) – 13.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists
Seth Trimble (Jr. Guard) – 12.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals
Miami
Matthew Cleveland (Sr. Guard) - 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Lynn Kidd (Gr. Center) - 11.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Brandon Johnson (Sr. Forward) - 7.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Don't play down to your competition.
The Tar Heels have the advantage in every aspect of this game. They have a better scoring offense and have a better scoring defense. They shoot the 3 better and rebound better. And most importantly, they are at home.
The Tar Heels have had the tendency this season to play close games against bad teams. Most notably, going to overtime at home against Boston College.
But if UNC does what it's supposed to do and continues to play at the level that it has been playing at as of late, it should win this game handily.
Something to Watch for
Will head coach Hubert Davis make any tweaks to the starting lineup?
Everything seemed to click for UNC when Davis ran out a three-forward starting lineup for the first time against NC State. Everyone, from Jae'Lyn Withers to Seth Trimble, seem to be comfortable in their new roles.
It will be interesting to see if Davis sticks to this lineup as his team continues to find success or if he decides to make tweaks to it as players like Trimble keep balling out on the bench.
Projected Starters
No. 3 Elliot Cadeau (So. 6’1)
No. 4 RJ Davis (Gr. 6’0)
No. 9 Drake Powell (Fr. 6'6)
No. 22 Ven-Allen Lubin (Jr. 6’8)
No. 24 Jae'Lyn Withers (Gr. 6'9)