Miami controls game from start in 75-66 home win over No. 11 North Carolina

Miami sets the tone early and sustains control

Miami delivered one of its most complete home performances of the season on Tuesday, Feb. 10, defeating No. 11 North Carolina 75-66 at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables. The Hurricanes led throughout, preventing the Tar Heels from ever taking an advantage and turning a marquee ACC matchup into a game of extended chase.

The result moved both programs deeper into a tightly packed conference race. Entering the night, Miami and North Carolina shared the same ACC record, adding weight to every possession in a game with postseason implications and limited margin for error.

Interior scoring and rebounding created separation

Miami’s advantage was built on the same formula it has leaned on all year: physical play near the rim, finishing in the paint and controlling key stretches with second-chance opportunities. The Hurricanes held a sizable scoring edge in the paint (46-28) and also won the rebounding battle (41-35), two indicators that repeatedly tilted the game back in Miami’s favor whenever North Carolina threatened to tighten it.

North Carolina’s first half was efficient by the numbers, including seven three-pointers and 55% shooting before halftime. Yet the Tar Heels went to the locker room down three, a reflection of Miami’s ability to convert high-percentage looks inside and punish mistakes. North Carolina committed eight turnovers in the opening half, and Miami capitalized by maintaining momentum rather than allowing the game’s early pace to swing.

UNC’s offense stalled after halftime

The game’s decisive swing came after intermission. North Carolina shot 27% in the second half and went 1-of-14 from three-point range over the final 20 minutes, a sharp contrast to its first-half perimeter output. With the outside shot gone, Miami was able to protect the lane more aggressively and force the Tar Heels into contested possessions late in the shot clock.

North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson missed part of the second half with a left-hand injury and later returned with heavy taping. He finished with 12 points. Jarin Stevenson led the Tar Heels with 13 points, but Miami’s ability to keep North Carolina from generating consistent second-half rhythm proved decisive.

What the outcome signals going forward

For Miami, the win underscored how difficult the Watsco Center has been for visiting teams this season and highlighted the Hurricanes’ identity as a team built around size, strength and paint production. For North Carolina, the loss illustrated the volatility that can follow an emotional rivalry win and raised immediate questions about Wilson’s health moving into the next stretch of ACC play.

• Final score: Miami 75, North Carolina 66
• Key margins: Miami +18 points in the paint; Miami +6 on the boards
• Second-half difference: North Carolina 1-of-14 from three after halftime

Miami’s lead never disappeared, but the way it held it—through interior scoring and rebounding—defined the night.