Despite appearing lifeless for most of the game on Tuesday night, UNC rallied back in the second half for a wild 67-65 victory over Miami capped by senior guard Andrew Platek’s game-winning layup with three seconds remaining.
Platek’s game-winner completed a double-digit comeback for the Tar Heels, who found themselves down by 10 points midway through the second half against a Miami team playing without star point guard Chris Lykes.
UNC used a 17-6 run over the final six minutes to steal a victory that appeared like it was slipping away, elevating the Tar Heels to 7-4 overall and 2-2 in ACC play.
Junior guard Leaky Black—who hit the game-winner this past Saturday against Notre Dame—led UNC with a game-high 16 points. Not known for his shooting ability, Black also went 4-for-4 from three-point range—including one that gave the Tar Heels a two-point lead in the final two minutes.
After the teams traded free throws, Miami tied the game with 15 seconds left on a short jumper by guard Isaiah Wong.
UNC head coach Roy Williams stayed in character and didn’t call timeout after that shot, instead letting his team figure it out on the final possession.
“I don’t know if they’re going to play zone,” Williams told reporters afterwards. “I don’t know if they’re going to play man. Caleb [Love] was hurt. Leaky was the point guard. And I was just screaming, ‘Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.’ But that’s what we do.”
Freshman forward Day’Ron Sharpe also continued his recent hot streak since taking Garrison Brooks’ spot in the starting lineup, pouring in 12 points and grabbing a team-high 16 rebounds.
In addition, Sharpe had a pair of key baskets down the stretch to join Black and fellow freshman Kerwin Walton—who tied his career-high with 13 points—in double figures.
“I’ve said that Day’Ron is as good a rebounder and will go down as the best rebounder I’ve had since Tyler Hansbrough,” Williams said. “I think that 12 points and 16 rebounds like that was fantastic for him…The young man can rebound the basketball and do some great things.”
Without the late heroics, the Tar Heels would have suffered a devastating loss to a Miami team that has now gone winless in four ACC games. While it’s always best to get out with the win, there are still major issues UNC needs to iron out.
Brooks has been largely ineffective since losing his starting spot to Sharpe, a far cry from his Preseason ACC Player of the Year projection.
Problems with turnovers and consistent shot making from freshman guards Caleb Love and R.J. Davis are also something that will have to be fixed, as the duo combined for seven turnovers and just five points on 14 shot attempts.
Love’s only made shot came at a critical time late in the game, though, which earned him a little bit of credit from his obviously frustrated head coach.
“Our two point guards, yeah, 2-for-14 with seven turnovers,” Williams said. “But you know what, North Carolina won the game and Caleb made a big three at the end and that was a big, big play. Let’s build from that and move on.”
Up Next:
The Tar Heels return to Chapel Hill for their next game on Saturday against No. 19 Clemson. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Game Notes:
- Leaky Black had made just three shots from three-point range through UNC’s first 10 games this season, before going 4-for-4 from long range against Miami.
- Neither team shot the ball well at all, as UNC won despite shooting 34.4 percent from the floor. Miami shot just 34.9 percent on the other end.
- The Tar Heels were held to just 24 points in the paint, well below their season average of 35.
- UNC had a whopping 20 turnovers in the game, compared to just 21 made shots and 13 assists.
Photo via ACC Media
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It really was an ugly game and the turnovers and missed shots seem to be a pattern with this year’s team. The confidence level of Leaky seems to have gotten a lot better and that is something needed by Brooks and our 2 freshman guards. Practice should be concentrating on shooting and ball handling and looks like we also should focus on different lineups to match the teams we play against. The idea of trying to double team works, if you are able to recover against teams that shoot the 3 ball well. In most cases though, UNC struggles to defend the 3 and they would be better off staying in a zone or man to man. Our bigs need to finish at the basket and work more on taking good shots instead of just throwing it up on the back board and missing because of the bad angles or just forcing it up towards the basket. Dunks are allowed in College basketball so I hope they will work more on that when they are under the basket. This team will eventually find a good rhythm and our guards will start relaxing and knocking down shots when they are wide open.