Miami upset win over No. 11 UNC reveals ACC's depth is actual

[ad_1] The Miami Hurricanes demonstrated the ACC's depth on Tuesday. After some lean years, that is a welcome sight for the convention.

Miami (19-5, 8-3 in ACC) defeated the Related Press No. 11 North Carolina Tar Heels (19-5, 7-4 in ACC), 75-66, within the group's largest win of the season. The Hurricanes by no means trailed and have been the higher group within the inside, profitable the factors within the paint battle, 46-28.

Energy ahead Malik Reneau (16 factors, 10 rebounds) and heart Ernest Udeh Jr. (15 factors, 10 rebounds) every had double-doubles. Defensively, Miami contained star North Carolina freshman energy ahead Caleb Wilson, who entered averaging 20.9 factors on 62.2 p.c capturing in convention play. In opposition to the Canes, he had 12 factors on 4-of-12 capturing.

Miami might have performed itself off bubble with huge win over No. 11 North Carolina The win is a big resume-booster for Miami, which entered No. 37 in NET rankings and No. 41 in KenPom — two elements that issue within the committee's bracket —and as one of many final 4 groups within the area in accordance with ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi's most up-to-date replace (Feb. 10).

The Hurricanes lacked a signature victory, with their finest earlier than Tuesday — by way of NET rankings — being an 81-77 highway win over Wake Forest (h/t Bball.web).

With remaining regular-season video games towards the NC State Wolfpack (18-7, 9-3 in ACC), AP No. 15 Virginia Cavaliers (21-3, 10-2 in ACC), SMU Mustangs (17-7, 6-2 in ACC) and No. 24 Louisville Cardinals (18-6, 8-4 in ACC), Miami has alternatives to additional pad its case for an at-large bid ought to it not declare the ACC Match title.

Tuesday's win is arguably as essential to the ACC as it's to Miami. The convention has taken a backseat to the opposite energy conferences in latest seasons, sending simply 4 groups to the NCAA Match in 2025. Per Lunardi, the ACC is on tempo to obtain eight berths this season, which might be its most since 2019, when it earned 9.

The Hurricanes final made the sphere in 2023, reaching the primary Ultimate 4 in program historical past. The 12 months earlier than, it made it to the Elite Eight below long-time coach Jim Larranaga, who retired in December 2025 amid a 7-24 season, Miami's worst all-time by win proportion (.226).

First-time head coach Jai Lucas, employed after three seasons at Duke as an assistant below Jon Scheyer, has finished a outstanding job turning the group again in the proper path in brief order.