Both teams shot the ball very poorly. Miami made 37.1 percent of their shots. The Tar Heels shot 40.8 percent for the game, but 50 percent in the second half.
Miami now has to put this game behind them. They were eliminated last season by North Carolina in the ACC Quarters. That came after a victory over Syracuse. This year it was the Tar Heels that eliminated the Orange to advance to the Quarters.
Ja’Quan Newton continues to play well for Miami. He finished with 17 points on 7-16 from the floor, made both of his three-point attempts and had seven rebounds. Anthony Lawrence was the only other Hurricanes player in double figures with 12.
Lonnie Walker finished with nine and six rebounds. He was 4-14 from the floor and missed all five of his three-point shots. Miami finished 6-19 beyond the arc as a team. They settled too much for threes and didn’t take the ball to the basket enough. After getting out to the big lead the game was a mess.
Four Tar Heels finished in double figures but it was Theo Pinson’s night. He finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and made five of his six free throws.
Next up: Miami will await its fate on Sunday for the NCAA Tournament. They are likely to be seeded between sixth and eighth. That’s a big difference.
Next: Jim Larranaga continues to set standards with Miami Hurricanes
The eight seed with a win would almost definitely have a game against a top seed in the second round. If the seeds hold the six would play the three seed and the seven the two. Miami lost an opportunity to move up and make a statement.