The North Carolina Tar Heels entered Coral Gables on February 10, 2026, riding high on the momentum of a dramatic comeback victory over Duke, aiming to extend their five-game winning streak against the Miami Hurricanes. But college basketball is a game of wild swings and, on this night, it was Miami that delivered the knockout punch, snapping the Tar Heels’ run with a 75-66 win in front of a raucous home crowd at the Watsco Center.
Coming off an emotional 71-68 triumph against their archrivals just three days prior—one that saw UNC erase a 12-point halftime deficit and seal the win with a 9-0 run in the final seconds—the Tar Heels looked to keep their hot hand going. Head coach Hubert Davis, now in his fifth season, had his team at 19-4 overall and 7-3 in conference play before tip-off. The stakes were high, with the Tar Heels and Hurricanes neck-and-neck in the ACC standings and both teams eyeing a signature victory to bolster their March Madness resumes.
But the Hurricanes, under the leadership of first-year head coach Jai Lucas, had other ideas. Miami entered the contest with an 18-5 record and a reputation for stifling defense, boasting a 12-2 mark at home. Lucas, who took over after Jim Larranaga’s transformative 12-year tenure, brought a new energy and defensive mindset to the program. His squad had just bounced back from a rocky stretch by defeating Boston College, and with the home crowd behind them, the Hurricanes were determined to make a statement.
The game started at a blistering pace, with both teams trading baskets and pushing the tempo. Miami’s defense, anchored by senior forward Malik Reneau and 6-foot-11 Ernest Udeh Jr., set the tone early. The Hurricanes forced the Tar Heels into five turnovers in the game’s opening minutes and crashed the glass with authority, taking a 24-15 lead midway through the first half. Malik Reneau was a force, scoring 10 quick points and dominating the paint alongside Udeh Jr., who would finish the night with a double-double.
North Carolina, for their part, struggled to find their rhythm offensively. Freshman sensation Caleb Wilson, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, was hounded by Miami defenders and committed two turnovers in the opening four minutes. The Tar Heels’ normally potent offense—which averages 81 points per game and ranks in the top 15 nationally in efficiency—was stymied by Miami’s trapping schemes and relentless full-court press.
Despite the early struggles, the Tar Heels kept themselves within striking distance. Seven different UNC players scored in the first half, led by Henri Veesaar’s nine points. The bench, often a point of concern for North Carolina, provided a surprising lift, contributing 19 points in the first half compared to Miami’s nine. At halftime, Miami led 43-40, but the feeling was that UNC was still very much in the fight.
“Our bench gave us a real spark in the first half,” Davis said during a timeout, clearly frustrated by his team’s rebounding effort but not their energy. Jarin Stevenson, rewarded with a starting nod, responded with a team-high 13 points and six rebounds, while Kyan Evans chipped in eight off the bench, nearly tripling his output from the previous four games combined.
The second half, however, belonged to Miami. The Hurricanes outscored UNC 32-26 after the break, repeatedly punishing the Tar Heels inside. Miami scored a staggering 46 of its 75 points in the paint, exploiting North Carolina’s defensive lapses and second-chance opportunities. The Tar Heels allowed 12 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 11 times over the course of the game, never quite able to wrestle control away from the hosts.
Malik Reneau and Ernest Udeh Jr. each finished with double-doubles—Reneau with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Udeh Jr. with 15 points and 10 boards. Their dominance was the difference, as the Hurricanes dictated the terms of engagement in the paint. Miami’s athletic backcourt, led by senior point guard Tre Donaldson, kept the Tar Heels’ defense on its heels, pushing the pace and finding open looks in transition.
UNC had several chances to take the lead in the second half. With 11:09 remaining, they trailed just 53-51, and again found themselves within three, 63-60, with 3:47 on the clock. But each time, Miami answered—either with a timely basket or a defensive stop. The Tar Heels’ offense, so explosive in recent outings, sputtered down the stretch, coming up empty on crucial possessions.
Caleb Wilson, who had spent time on the bench in the second half, returned to the floor but couldn’t find his usual scoring touch. North Carolina finished with just 28 points in the paint, a far cry from their season average, and failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities to swing the momentum in their favor.
“We had our chances, but we just didn’t execute,” Davis admitted postgame. “Miami’s size and effort on the boards made the difference tonight.” The loss dropped UNC to 19-5 overall and 7-4 in the ACC, while Miami improved to 19-5 and 8-3, leapfrogging the Tar Heels in the conference standings.
For Miami, the win was a signature moment in Jai Lucas’s young tenure. The Hurricanes’ defensive identity, forged under Lucas’s guidance, paid dividends against one of the nation’s most efficient offenses. Reneau, a transfer from Indiana, has embraced his role as the team’s leader and rim protector, averaging 20 points and over six rebounds per game on the season. Udeh Jr., the 265-pound forward, has been a rebounding machine, posting double-digit boards in most contests.
North Carolina, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly. The Tar Heels face Pittsburgh next on February 14, looking to bounce back and keep pace in a crowded ACC race. While the loss stings, Davis and his players know there’s still plenty of basketball left to play—and that one tough night in Miami doesn’t define their season.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Hurricanes faithful celebrated a hard-fought victory, one that showcased their team’s grit and potential under new leadership. For the Tar Heels, it’s back to the drawing board—and a reminder that in college basketball, every night brings a new challenge.