Miami basketball at North Carolina, Lykes potential return: Game information

The Miami basketball team will travel to North Carolina on Monday night with senior guard Chris Lykes reportedly closer to returning than he has been at any point since being injured in December. Lykes has been out since the second game of the season after suffering a severe ankle injury. Miami is 5-11 in Lykes’ absence.

Miami is coming off an improbable 80-76 loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Hokies needed a game-tying three-point shot at the regulation buzzer to send the game to overtime. After Isaiah Wong gave Miami a three-point lead with 2.4 seconds remaining on Saturday, Hunter Cattoor sent the game to OT with his own three.

Cattoor appeared to step out of bounds before making the game-tying three-point shot. The Hokies outscored Miami seven to three to win the game in overtime. Like Miami, North Carolina has a victory over Duke in the last week. The Miami basketball team defeated Duke 77-75 in Coral Gables last Monday.

North Carolina defeated Duke 91-87 on Saturday in Durham. The Tar Heels improved to 12-6 with the victory. North Carolina defeated Miami 67-65 in Coral Gables last month and have won five straight games against the Hurricanes. Miami has not defeated UNC since a Ja’Quan Newton buzzer-beater in Chapel Hill in 2018.

"GAME 19 | FEB. 8, 2021 • 7 P.M. ET • CHAPEL HILL, N.C.Miami Hurricanes (7-11, 3-10 ACC)Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga (Providence, 1971)Record at UM: 197-124 (10th season), Career Record: 667-458 (37th season)North Carolina Tar Heels (12-6, 7-4 ACC)Head Coach: Roy Williams (North Carolina, 1972)Record at NC: 479-158 (18th season), Career Record: 897-259 (33rd season)Series HistoryAll-Time: 8-26 (8-24 since rebirth) | Home: 3-10 | Away: 4-12 | Neutral: 1-4 | Coach L: 7-11 (6-10 at UM) Streak: Lost 5 | Last Meeting: 67-65 home loss (Jan. 5, 2021) | First Meeting: 55-53 home loss (Jan. 13, 1950)Courtesy MiamiHurricanes.Com"

How Miami basketball matches up vs. North Carolina

North Carolina is led by 6’10 sophomore forward Armando Bacot who is averaging 12.1 points per game and 7.4 rebounds. The Tar Heels will have a big advantage with five players in their rotation 6’8 or taller. Miami has only three players 6’8 or taller. Day’ron Sharpe had 12 points and 16 rebounds for UNC in the last game.

At 6’11, 265 pounds, the Miami basketball team does not have anyone who can match-up with Sharpe. With the difference in size expect Miami to play a lot of zone against the Tar Heels. Miami used the zone to erase a 16 point deficit against Virginia Tech in the second half Saturday. Miami has to defend the three-point line.

North Carolina made nine of 20 three-point attempts in their victory over Miami last month. Guard Leaky Black scored 16 points and made all four of his three-point attempts. Miami is 14th in the ACC in opponent three-point percentage. The Hurricanes held Virginia Tech to 8-23 on three-point shots on Saturday.

"Broadcast Information:TV: ESPN • Play-by-Play: Sean McDonough • Color: Jay Bilas | WatchESPNRadio: WQAM 560 AM • Joe Zagacki • Danny Rabinowitz | WQAM.Radio.com"

Miami will make its second straight Big Monday appearance on ESPN after the victory over Duke last week. This is the last appearance of the regular season for Miami on ESPN. The Hurricanes will likely appear on ESPN during the first round of the ACC Tournament. Miami is currently 3-10 in the ACC in 13th place.