Miami Hurricanes' basketball team faced injury concerns with Wooga Poplar and Kyshawn George dealing with tender ankles ahead of their game against No. 3 UNC. Despite the challenges, Miami put up a strong fight, with Norchad Omier and Nijel Pack leading the scoring. The game saw a close battle, with Miami leading at halftime but ultimately falling short with a 75-72 loss to UNC. RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau were standout performers for UNC, securing a much-needed win. The game was a sellout, and the crowd witnessed an intense and competitive matchup.
UM makes furious rally, falls short 75-72 to No. 3 UNC in front of sold out crowd. Game recap here, interviews to come. https://t.co/y7Q2p8uWAl @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops #GoCanes #ACC #UNC #TarHeels
Hell of an effort by Miami, but UNC hangs on for a much-needed bounce back win. Cadeau didn’t have the greatest end of game, but the freshman guard keeps taking strides. RJ Davis got back to his typically-efficient self. Tar Heels need to get Seth Trimble back ASAP, though.
Final: UNC 75, Miami 72. Tar Heels survive a multitude of late mistakes. https://t.co/tWbAvJFdsO
A *lane violation* bails UNC out with 1.4 seconds left. Looked like it would've been Miami ball, with a chance to tie. Tar Heels have done just about everything they can to lose this game in the final minutes.
Norchad Omier can't score from under the rim, and UNC gets the rebound. Miami fouling now.
UNC 68, Miami 56; 7:33 left. Some Miami fans headed for the exits. Imagine that. Elliot Cadeau with his first multi-3 game of the season, with two. RJ Davis with 25 points and five 3s.
UNC 60, Miami 50; 12:30 left. So far, the second-half answer the Tar Heels needed to provide here.
Tar Heels on a 14-5 run to start the half.
Second half about to begin here. Miami with a one-point lead. UNC made its final three shots from the field after that 3-for-17 stretch. Cormac Ryan is 10 for his past 40 from 3. Would be a good time for him to break out of his slump. Feels like a big 20 minutes for Tar Heels.
N.C. State takes a 45-39 lead to halftime.
HALFTIME: Miami 41, No. 3 UNC 40. Omier 16 pts and 5 reb. Pack 18 pts (4 threes). Bacot 2 pts, 7 reb for Tar Heels, Davis 16 pts. @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops #GoCanes #ACC
HALF: Hurricanes lead UNC 41-40. Nijel Pack has 18. Norchad Omier has 16. Hurricanes need someone else to step up in the second half, but this is a tight ballgame after it looked like the Tar Heels were about to run away with it early.
Halftime: Miami 41, UNC 40. Tar Heels led by as many as 12. https://t.co/3ctMgEGjd8
Wooga Poplar layup gives UM a 34-33 lead over No.3 UNC. Crowd on its feet. @MiamiHerald @MiamiHerald @CanesHoops #GoCanes #ACC https://t.co/TBdDblhFPx
Miami 34, UNC 33; 3:29 1H. Hurricanes have stormed back here. If you're wondering how, this stat may be useful: UNC is has missed six of its past seven shots from the field. Miami, meanwhile, has made six of its past eight. Crowd is into it for the first time.
Three-point play by Norchad Omier cuts UM deficit to six, 29-23..Third-ranked Tar Heels lead with 6 minutes to go first half. @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops
Hurricanes trail 29-22 with Norchad Omier set to take an and-1 foul shot. 6:51 left in the first half. Omier has 8, Pack has 10.
Tar Heels on a 15-2 run, shooting 60 percent, race to a 15-4 lead over Miami, 1-of-last 7, shooting 22 percent. @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops #GoCanes #ACC
Timeout, Jim Larranaga and Miami here 4:42 into things. UNC with an early 15-4 lead. The kind of start it needed after Tuesday (when it trailed by a similar score, at a similar point). RJ Davis with a pair of 3s; Cormac Ryan with another (also encouraging for Tar Heels).
Starting lineups: Miami: Cleveland, Joseph, Pack, Poplar, Omier. UNC: Cadeau, Ryan, Davis, Bacot, Ingram. @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops #GoCanes #ACC
Tip Off at 4 p.m. Pre-game reading for you... @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops @UNC_Basketball #GoCanes #ACC #UNC https://t.co/KfJO1V5SxE
UM won past two games vs. UNC, aim to topple No. 3 Tar Heels in front of sellout crowd at home Saturday. Preview, interviews, injury updates here. https://t.co/r39CG5zGBl @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops #GoCanes #ACC #TarHeels #UNC
Wooga Poplar and Kyshawn George, both dealing with tender ankles, work on shooting on eve of game vs No.3 UNC @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops #GoCanes #ACC https://t.co/jkzerJy1rn
More video from UM basketball practice on eve of UNC game.. @HeraldSports @MiamiHerald @CanesHoops #GoCanes https://t.co/qpgRTG6CV6
Coach L confirms that Wooga Poplar is in a boot around campus as precaution for sore ankle, but practiced yesterday and hoping he can play tomorrow v UNC. Kyshawn George (ankle) questionable. @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @CanesHoops #GoCanes #ACC