Where: BankUnited Center, Coral Gables, FL
When: Wednesday, January 23rd, 9:00 PM
TV: Raycom/LF Regional
Records: UNC 18-1, 3-1 ACC; Miami 14-3, 1-2 ACC
Wake-up call people.
This game is particularly tough for a variety of reasons. UNC is coming off a loss that is more or less directly attributed to the lack of intensity, especially on the defensive end of the court. Maryland was a team they should have beaten, had they shown up and played defense. It did not happen and now it is time to figure out what the heck went wrong by showing up tonight with the proper attention to defensive detail. It also should be noted that UNC has the weekend off so there is absolutely no excuse for being lazy as is it, but especially since the team does not play for another week.
In terms of facing Miami, the much maligned defense will be tested by the shooting stylings of one Jack McClinton who lit NC State up in Raleigh on Saturday night. Miami also starts three guards and has a solid inside presence in Anthony King. Needless to say the "stopping the basketball" bugaboo UNC has had will be fully examined this evening. In many ways this game sets up similar to the Maryland game with the exception being Miami is not nearly as good defensively(according to Pomeroy) as the Terps. However it is a road game and as a general rule the offense tends to struggle on the road more so than at home which makes the kind of defensive effort UNC gives a key component to this game.
UNC 81 Miami 69