- Despite the win, UNC remains on the wrong side of NCAA Tournament bracket projections.
- Lubin has been a key factor in UNC’s win streak, averaging 14 points and 5.7 rebounds over the last four games.
- Jae’Lyn Withers has recorded a double-double in two of the last three games.
CHAPEL HILL — UNC basketball has a five-game winning streak for the first time this season.
The Tar Heels did what they were supposed to do Saturday against last-place Miami, earning a 92-73 victory at the Smith Center.
Ven-Allen Lubin led UNC (19-11, 12-6 ACC) with 17 points as one of six Tar Heels to finish in double figures against the Hurricanes (6-23, 2-16), who have lost five games in a row. Drake Powell (16 points), RJ Davis (13 points), Jae’Lyn Withers (11 points), Ian Jackson (11 points) and Seth Trimble (10 points) also logged double-digit points.
But on the first day of March, with two weeks until Selection Sunday, UNC remains on the wrong side of NCAA Tournament bracket projections. As of Saturday afternoon, the Tar Heels are included in 13 of 106 brackets on Bracket Matrix, meaning they still have work to do for a March Madness bid.
The Tar Heels play at Virginia Tech (12-16, 7-10) on Tuesday (7 p.m., ESPNU) before closing the regular season against No. 2 Duke (25-3, 16-1) on March 8 in Chapel Hill. The ACC Tournament starts March 11 in Charlotte, but the Heels are currently on track to play their postseason opener March 12.
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Here are observations from UNC’s blowout win against Miami.
UNC basketball’s Ven-Allen Lubin becoming reliable post option
Ven-Allen Lubin is finding a groove at the right time. Over the last four games, a quartet of double-digit victories, Lubin is averaging 14 points and 5.7 rebounds. The Vanderbilt transfer scored 10 of UNC’s first 12 points in the second half Saturday.
Jae’Lyn Withers keeps making 3-pointers, logs another double-double
Jae’Lyn Withers finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, logging his second double-double in the last three games. Withers had two double-doubles in 37 games last season. In addition to his increased activity on the boards, Withers has drained multiple 3-pointers in four of the last five games.
UNC basketball defense starts slow, picks it up
The Tar Heels’ defense was bad in the first 12-plus minutes as Miami knocked down 55% of its shots, including five 3-pointers, to make it a four-point game at the 7:15 mark. After a timeout by UNC coach Hubert Davis, Miami missed nine of its final 11 shots of the half and UNC closed with a 15-4 run to take a 15-point lead. Overall, Miami shot 43% from the floor.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to[email protected].
