Miami vs North Carolina Prediction College Basketball Picks 2/26/24

The Miami Hurricanes will head up to Chapel Hill to face the North Carolina Tar Heels in ACC play this Monday from the Dean Smith Center on ESPN. UNC leads the current series, 27-10, and they come in as 13-point road favorites, with the total currently sitting at 154.5. Stay tuned for our Miami vs North Carolina Prediction. 

Miami Hurricanes Preview

Miami moved to 15-13 after losing to Georgia Tech at home, 80-76. The Canes failed to keep their halftime lead, as the Yellow Jackets marched back, and they’ll now face an uphill battle here in Chapel Hill. Miami is scoring 77.0 points per game, on 46.2% shooting, while allowing 72.3 ppg, and they’re currently 12th in the ACC with a 6-11 record in league play. The Canes are 3-7 over their last ten games, and they’ve gone 2-7 on the road this season. 

Miami Team Profile

• Jim Larranaga’s team has slowed down over the last two weeks, averaging 72.0 possessions per game (115th), but they’ve found success from the outside, knocking down 36.7% of threes (43rd). 
• Junior forward Norchad Omier recorded a 20-point double-double in the first matchup with UNC, and he leads Miami in scoring (17.1) and rebounding (9.7).  
• FSU transfer Matthew Cleveland went for a team-high 20 points against Boston College, and he’s second on the team at 13.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg.  
• Philly native Wooga Poplar also posted a double-double in the narrow loss to Carolina, and he’s averaging 13.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg. 
• Junior lead guard Nijel Pack (13.7 ppg, 3.6 apg) has missed the last three games, and the Canes are 0-3 during that stretch.  

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North Carolina Tar Heels Preview

North Carolina improved to 21-6 after beating Virginia in Charlottesville,  54-44. The Tar Heel managed to leave the mountains with a nasty win over the Cavs, and they’ll attempt to bring the brooms out on Miami this Monday. UNC is scoring 81.8 points per game, on 44.8% shooting, while allowing 69.2 ppg, and they’re currently first in the ACC with a 13-3  record in conference play. The Heels are 7-3 over their previous ten games, and they’ve gone 11-1 in Chapel Hill this season.  

North Carolina Team Profile

• Hubert Davis’ group prefers to push the tempo, averaging 73.9 possessions per game (40th), and they’ve been solid from deep, knocking down 35.5% of threes (101st). 
• Senior guard RJ Davis went for a game-high 25 points in the February 10th win over Miami, and he leads North Carolina in scoring (21.0). 
• Veteran big Armando Bacot led the way with 25 points in the Virginia Tech victory, and he leads UNC in rebounding (10.4), while scoring (14.4). 
• Former Stanford forward Harrison Ingram has grabbed 11 rebounds or more in seven of the previous ten games, and he’s averaging 12.3 ppg and 9.1 rpg. 
• Notre Dame transfer Cormac Ryan has scored 16 points or more in three straight contests, and he’s up to 11.1 ppg.

Miami vs UNC Trends

• MIA is 15-13 against the spread, with a 13-15 O/U record
• UNC is 16-11 ATS, with a 13-14 over/under record.

Miami vs North Carolina Prediction: Spread

Miami has taken a step back this season, while UNC rests atop the conference, and I don’t think they blow this spot at home to open the week. The Canes recent struggles make them hard to vouch for as road favorites, and it’s easy to see them getting overwhelmed in the Dean Dome. After doubling down on the state of Virginia, let’s back UNC to keep rolling here at home against Miami this Monday evening.

Miami vs North Carolina Prediction: Total

Aside from the uncharacteristic showing in Charlottesville versus an annually stingy UVA unit, UNC has maintained their high-scoring ways, and after being contained over the weekend, we should see a bounce back from them offensively. Now although the Heels will be heading home with a third consecutive victory in mind, the Canes will be entering on the heels of seven straight defeats, as Nigel Pack’s absence has quickly altered the season. Miami has naturally slowed down without their leader, and if North Carolina doesn’t do the heavy lifting, the Under will be in play for this ACC matchup.

Corey Ghee's Pick: UNC TO COVER