Miami Basketball Humbled in Carolina, 96-71

Coming off a devastating last second loss to Duke, UNC was angry and aggressive from the onset today.

They were also sharp.

The same could not be said for Miami, who missed a ton of easy buckets early, had multiple defensive lapses, and were flat out beat up today in a 96-71 thrashing at the hands of North Carolina today from Chapel Hill.

At the first TV time out it was 8 all, as UM got two nice drives from Angel Rodriguez to offset a balance UNC attack.

Sheldon McClellan was very determined offensively and had 7 early points, but the rest of the 'Canes missed a number of makeable and open shots, as UNC jumped ahead 25-18 following a Brice Johnson bucket.

UM was playing with plenty of effort, but the big difference in the first half was simply the fact the UNC made shots, and Miami didn't.

North Carolina took an 11 point lead into the intermission as Miami missed a number of point blank shots and FT's that would have sliced into the lead.

Thing spiraled out of control in the final 20, with Carolina nailing their first five shots of the half, including several contested three's.

The lead stretched to 18, the 'Canes largest deficit of the season, just a few minutes in.

The rest was academic.

It just wasn't Miami's day, and UNC was stout on both ends of the court.

The Heels were led by Johnson's 16, but put 5 players in double figures.

Coach L and Co. have no time to lick their wounds, with another Top 10 team in Virginia coming to the BUC on Monday in another pivotal contest.