North Carolina Will Hand No. 8 Miami Their First ACC Loss

By Anthony Lenahan
Bob Donnan-USA Today Sports

Miami (FL) is undefeated in the ACC so far and has dominated the conference so far. They are 9-0 and have a game lead in the conference, but tomorrow, North Carolina will hand them their first conference loss.

The Hurricanes seem to be riding all the momentum they have gained since absolutely demolishing No. 1 Duke. They are 4-0 since that crushing victory including a big win on the road at North Carolina State, and seem almost unbeatable, even if they might be getting a little cocky.

North Carolina is also on a roll, winning six of their last seven, and really need to beat Miami tomorrow. The Tar Heels let a very close game slip away at the end in their last meeting with the Hurricanes, and their defensive intensity and lack of execution was the reason why.

Reggie Bullock and James Michael McAdoo are in stride right now, and they will be the reason Carolina wins tomorrow. P.J. Hairston has also been producing at a high level and will bring a great deal on intensity to the court.

Miami was missing their big man, Reggie Johnson in the first meeting, but he is back now and will make it more difficult for the Carolina big men to score. Every game it seems that someone on Miami steps up and has a breakout game whether it’s Rion Brown, Durand Scott, Shane Larkin, Trey McKinney Jones, or Kenny Kadji.

The Canes have the talent to beat any team, but they can be beat and will be beat tomorrow because of hustle. Carolina is going to bring intensity and play with passion and in order to win, and Miami is going to have to match it.

UNC is 5-0 when going on the road against Miami in ACC play, and will improve to 6-0 as they hand the Hurricanes their first conference loss of the year.

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