UNC Basketball looks to take care of business against Miami

The Tar Heels return home after a massive win in Tallahassee.
North Carolina v Florida State
North Carolina v Florida State | Don Juan Moore/GettyImages

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)

Schedule

Schedule