Read below for a full UNC vs Miami prediction and preview.
UNC is coming into this matchup winning five of their last six games and fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives. Joe Lunardi, in his most recent Bracketology for ESPN, has the Tar Heels as the first team out of the tournament. Miami, on the other end of the conference standings, is one loss away from becoming the first ACC program to fail to qualify for the conference tournament.
Game information:
Teams: UNC (18-11, 11-6) and Miami (6-22, 2-15)
Tip-off: 12 p.m. EST
Watch: ESPN
Listen: WCHL 97.9 FM (Internet Radio)
Latest on Miami Basketball:
The Hurricanes have been going through a season of transition, winning just two games since the calender turned to 2025. Since Jim Larranaga retired on Dec. 26th, Miami has a 2-14 record. Interm coach Bill Courtney did not notch his first victory until defeating Notre Dame on Feb. 1st, his 10th game as coach.
According to their most recent NET Team Sheet, Miami currently two home losses to teams that are currently ranked as Quad 4. Both Charleston Southern and Mount St. Mary’s were able to get victories on the Hurricanes home court.
Their most recent defeat came at the hands of No. 2 Duke, falling at home 97-60. The defeat was their sixth loss at home by 10 or more points.
🔨🔨🔨
Watch: ESPN pic.twitter.com/F7wADYVQfj
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) February 26, 2025
Lynn Kidd led the Hurricanes with 17 points, his eight game of double-digit scoring in the last 11 games. Despite only three rebounds, he currently leads the team with 7.1 rebounds per game. While the Hurricanes as a team rank 5th in the ACC in field goal shooting, the team ranks last in field goal defense.
Another stat that could cause Miami some issues against North Carolina is assists. Miami has allowed opponents to record 16.3 per game, while the Tar Heels rank 6th in assists.
Latest on UNC Basketball:
By defeating Florida State on Monday, the Tar Heels have continued to build their case for a possible NCAA Tournament bid. In fact, this is just the second time this season that North Carolina has been on a four-game winning streak.
While that winning streak was followed up by losing four of their next five games, Hubert Davis is looking to continue their winning ways.
RJ Davis led the Heels with 20 points, while Seth Trimble came off the bench with 17. With that 20 point effort, Davis has had 11 straight games with double-digit points. He started the season with 14 straight double-digit games.
Always in range 👌 @ariidavis_ pic.twitter.com/9EiEs3whPr
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) February 25, 2025
With the Tar Heels currently on the bubble, they have no room for error on their schedule. Between Saturday’s game and hosting Duke next Saturday, North Carolina travels to Virginia Tech. A loss to either Miami or Virginia Tech could put North Carolina into discussing whether or not to accept an NIT bid, like what happened in 2023.