Miami trumps North Carolina 68-59

North Carolina

Miami trumps North Carolina 68-59

UNC head coach Roy Williams reacts to a play during the North Carolina Tar Heels vs. UNLV Runnin' Rebels NCAA basketball game, Saturday, December 29, 2012 in Chapel Hill, NC.

Jan 10, 2013

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Chapel Hill, N.C. — FINAL: North Carolina falls to Miami 68-59 after the Hurricanes pull away late in the second half.

DATE & TIME: Thursday, January 10, 7 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Dean E. Smith Center (21,750) -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Miami 6-0, UNC 7-0. Away Record: Miami 4-1, UNC 1-3. Neutral Record: Miami 0-2, UNC 2-1. Conference Record: Miami 1-0, UNC 0-1. Series Record: North Carolina leads, 18-2.

GAME NOTES: The North Carolina Tar Heels are still in search of their first ACC victory, as they play host to the Miami-Florida Hurricanes on Thursday night at the Smith Center.

Roy Williams' team has certainly experienced highs and lows this season, as the Tar Heels racked up 10 wins prior to league play. However, the losses are perhaps more telling, as UNC's toughest competition has resulted in losses to Butler, Indiana, Texas and most recently, a 61-52 setback to the Virginia Cavaliers in the team's ACC opener last Sunday.

Jim Larranaga's Hurricanes are also sitting with 10 wins thus far. Miami comes into this contest with a two-game win streak in tow, opening league play last weekend with a 62-49 road win at Georgia Tech on Saturday. The 'Canes have been strong away from home this year, with wins in four of five true road tilts. The Hurricanes are seeking their first 2-0 start to ACC play since joining the league in 2004-05.

North Carolina has dominated this series, winning 18 of the total 20 meetings, dating back to the 1949-50 campaign.

Miami has used stifling defensive play to fuel its success this season. The Hurricanes are holding foes to a mere 59.2 ppg, holding them well under 40 percent shooting overall (.373). Offensively, Miami has been adequate, netting 68.8 ppg on a .451 shooting, especially since the team has been without Reggie Johnson (12.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg) of late. Durand Scott has been a picture of consistency, leading the team in scoring at 14.7 ppg. Scott has scored at least 15 points in 12 of the 14 games this season. Shane Larkin is next in line at 12.6 ppg, followed by Kenny Kadji (11.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg).

The Hurricanes used a strong game by Rion Brown off the bench to knock off a tough Georgia Tech team in the ACC opener for both programs. Brown converted 9-of-11 shots from the floor, including four 3-pointers, finishing with 22 points in just 23 minutes of work. Kadji was able to balance things out with a strong performance down low, posting a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

The Tar Heels were held to a season-low 52 points by a Virginia squad that has done that to a lot of foes this season. Reggie Bullock was responsible for a good portion of the scoring with 22 points. James Michael McAdoo added 10 points in the loss, as UNC shot just .379 from the floor overall, including a 5-of-17 effort from behind the arc (.294).

The lack of scoring was a bit of an anomaly, as North Carolina comes into this contest averaging 81.4 ppg, good for ninth nationally. The team has benefited from good ball movement as well, ranking fourth nationally in assists per game (18.7). McAdoo was given star status prior to the season and has shown flashes of being just that, but has also shown weaknesses along the way. Still, the sophomore forward leads the team in both scoring (14.5 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 rpg). Bullock is next in the scoring column (13.8 ppg), shooting an impressive .493 from 3-point range (sixth nationally). P.J. Hairston rounds out the double-figure scorers (12.1 ppg).

Miami has shown it can win on the road, but doing so in Chapel Hill, even against a North Carolina squad that has shown itself vulnerable, remains a tough task.

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RE: Miami trumps North Carolina 68-59

I stated when this season began that Miami would be in the mix. The crusty Larranago has total respect from his players. He outcoached Roy in the 2nd half last night. He took Bullock completely out of his game. Duke, State, Miami, FSU, and Maryland are the leaders right now. UNC may be next. I think that MD will beat State next week at home. Roy isn't a game coach. Games are won in practice, but when it close.....

Roy

Two points:

Most State fans were too busy watching or attending the GT game to post on the forums.

Miami made half time adjustments to take Bullock and McAdoo out of the game during the second half.

PS...I was glad to see Coach Williams use his time outs at the end of the game setting up plays when the margin was close enough to close. Too many times he has left timeouts on the board when they could have been used for instructive adjustments.
- Posted by jmwbrd

Roy has never been the best at making adjustments during a game, and yes, Larranago definitely coached his guys to take Bullock and McAdoo out of the game, and it worked.

I was glad to see Roy use his T/O's as well, but it was too little too late. I did see Roy coaching up the players, though, instead of sulking like he does sometimes.

It's going to be a long year, but you can't win 'em all.

RE: Miami trumps North Carolina 68-59

Miami got hot when it counted and UNC just can't find a hot shooter. They still will win some big games, hopefully not against the pack though.
- Posted by shakennotstirred

Thanks for keeping it classy, shaken. You could be on here slamming us like all the others, but you're not - thanks for that.

RE: Miami trumps North Carolina 68-59

2 games in a row now that the tempo was dictated to them by their opponent. Whats very noticeable is the lack of defense, plus most of their players look lanky and can't play physical. It was obvious to me that Miami came out in the 2nd half and wanted to show some muscle around the basket, the Tar Heels were beaten badly on the boards (both ends). I don't like saying this but I would not be surprised if Clemson (who hasn't won in Chapel Hill in several decades), actually wins here. This is the weakest Tar Heel team I can think of in quite some time. The teams under Matt Doherty were talented, but the players didn't care for him. This is different ...... the team just doesn't communicate and help each other out. I expect better from Roy but theres only so much he can do, he must be frustrated with what he sees.
- Posted by PanthersFan45

Thankfully, Carolina plays that game in LIttlejohn, or yes, that streak would be over as well.

RE: Miami trumps North Carolina 68-59

The youth of this team really showed tonight. We all knew this would be a frustrating season. Roy is coaching for next year at this point. It is what is is!
- Posted by mxteam44

Yeah, and if I see effort and hustle, I'm OK with it, and the guys did try tonight. I feel bad for them and worse for Roy.

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