February 11, 2026

Key conclusions from UNC basketball’s Miami road defeat

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Key conclusions from UNC basketball’s Miami road defeat

North Carolina’s five-game winning streak in the Atlantic Coast Conference has officially ended. After an emotional win over a rival Duke on Saturday night, it was a quick turnaround for the Tar Heels.

They went to Coral Gables to face off against a good Miami team and in the end, UNC never led in the game and fell to the Hurricanes, 75-66. The loss drops UNC to 19-5 overall and 7-4 in ACC play. With a tough schedule still ahead for the Tar Heels, the contest was another big Quad 1 opportunity for them.

However, instead of seizing the opportunity, UNC displayed a lacklustre performance from the beginning to the end. Here are our quick ways to avoid damage in Miami

North Carolina dominated in the Miami paint

February 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henry Visser (13) grabs a rebound against the Miami Hurricanes in the first half at Watsko Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The story of this game is the colour game between two teams. Miami dominated the paint, outscoring North Carolina 46-28. The Hurricanes also outgained UNC 41-35, leading to extra possessions on offence and limiting the Tar Heels to their own possessions.

North Carolina didn’t get much out of the post tonight with Caleb Wilson limited by that left wrist. But Henry Visser fought back against the bigs of the Hurricanes who feasted all night

This is a problem.

Let’s hope Caleb Wilson’s hand injury isn’t serious

February 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) looks on against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at the Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
On February 10, 2026, in Coral Gables, Florida, USA, North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) looks up while playing against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at the Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

After an exciting game against Duke on Saturday, freshman Caleb Wilson didn’t look outstanding against Miami. Part of that was due to a left wrist injury he likely suffered in the game.

Wilson scored 12 points and played just 26 minutes, missing some crucial minutes early in the second half. He went to the bench with the trainers, then the locker room, before returning. But when he checked in again, he did so with some tape on his left wrist.

The positive news is that Wilson was able to return. Now, we wait to see what actually happened and whether it will bother him further.

It wasn’t a trap game, but…

February 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) defends the basketball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jayden Young (4) during the first half at the Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
February 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) defends the basketball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jayden Young (4) during the first half at the Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

It was a tough game. North Carolina went on the road against a good Miami team that surprised many people in the ACC. It wasn’t a classic trap game where the Tar Heels faced a team that was clearly better than they were and beat Duke.

We have to give Miami the credit it deserves so far this season. Also, playing on the road is not an easy task and for the past few years, Coral Gables has not been a good place to play for the Tar Heels.

The key now for North Carolina is a big response at home against Pitt on Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Takeaways from tough road loss at Miami

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