Miami Basketball tries to build on Wake Forest win vs North Carolina

The Miami basketball team gets its biggest test of the season when it hosts North Carolina on Saturday. The Tar Heels travel to Coral Gables 13-4 overall and 3-1 in a five-way tie for second in the ACC.

After starting the season 8-3, North Carolina has won five of their last six games. Their lone loss was an 83-62 blowout to Louisville at the Dean Smith Center last Saturday. The Miami basketball team split two games with UNC in 2018-19. The win was the memorable nearly halfcourt shot by Ja’Quan Newton at the buzzer at UNC.

Similar to Miami’s game at Florida State ten days before the Hurricanes play the Tar Heels, North Carolina will try to play a quick tempo with an extremely deep bench. Ten players on Roy Williams roster average at least 11 minutes per game. With only seven players on scholarship on the Miami roster that’s all Jim Larranaga plays.

As has always been the case with Williams’ teams, North Carolina can score. The Tar Heels are fourth in the nation averaging 78.0 Points Per Game. Only three North Carolina players average in double figures. Six average 8.5 PPG or more.

The Tar Heels are led by former Pittsburgh Graduate Transfer Cameron Johnson who is a Senior in eligibility. Johnson is averaging 15.5 PPG, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He is shooting 49.5 percent from the floor, 44.8 percent on three-point attempts and 78.2 percent from the free throw line.

Luke Maye has been a star since making the game-winning three-pointer to send North Carolina to the Final Four in 2017. Maye is averaging 14.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 2.0 APG. He has seven double-doubles this season. Maye has recorded four double-doubles in North Carolina’s last six games.