Source: Grant Halverson / Getty
by Sharon Thorsland
It’s a quick turnaround for North Carolina, who takes on #19 Miami tonight in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels are coming off an impressive 20-point win over Clemson and finally looked like the North Carolina team people were expecting this season. That win improved the Heels to 16-9 overall, 8-6 in the ACC. Now the question is – can they keep it going agianst the Hurricanes (20-5, 11-4), who have won four straight and have a deep and talented team. Tip-off is set for 7:00 on WBT.
The Hurricanes are loaded with veteran talent and leads the ACC in scoring, averaging 79 points per game. They’ve got a trio of elite guards in Isaiah Wong, Jordan Miller and Nigel Pack. Wong torched the Tar Heels in last year’s matchup with 25 points and 8 rebounds, and is averaging over 16 points, four rebounds and three assists per game this season. Pack and Miller combined for over 27 points a contest, and all three are threats from behind the arc, averaging over 35% from three. Wooga Poplar is more of a defensive specialist but has picked up his offense this season and can hurt you from outside. Norchad Omier holds down the front court and is averaging over 10 rebounds a contest, that’s third in the league. UNC will have a definite size advantage inside though, as Omier is just 6’7 and will face 6’11 Armando Bacot, who is a double-double machine and in the top three in the league in points and rebounds.
The Tar Heels also have a pair of elite guards in RJ Davis and Caleb Love, who put on a show against Clemson, combining for 40 points and 10 3-pointers in the game. They’ll need another strong performance today to beat the Hurricanes.
North Carolina has won five of the last six games in the series, but the Hurricanes routed them by 28 points last season in Miami. The Tar Heels 11-1 at home this season, though, and when they play like they did against Clemson not many teams can beat them. Look for UNC to start a new winning streak against the Canes in a close one today. Go Tar Heels!
