Jim Larranaga happy with Miami's performance in win over UNC

Miami handed UNC their second loss at home this season, and head coach Jim Larranaga spoke after the game about the big win. The Hurricanes improved to 12-4 in conference play with the win, keeping them neck-and-neck with Virginia and Pitt atop the conference who have 11-3 records currently.

Jim Larranaga on Miami’s big road win over UNC

“Well I told the team before the game, we have to play a great game to come in here at the Dean Dome and play against a Carolina team that has only lost one time at home,” opened Larranaga during his postgame press appearance. “And that was by one point. They’re very big, Bacot is a monster inside [and] their guards can shoot the ball from as far out as they choose to. But I thought we did a great job, we hung in there after Norchad Omier got in foul trouble in the first half. Took a one-point lead to the locker room at halftime.

“And then [we] quickly came out and really took control of the first ten minutes of the second half. Kept it for the next five minutes and then we made some mistakes that I think if we had to do it all over again our guys would make different decisions. But all in all, we made our free throws, we broke the press and that’s what allowed us to come away with a very hard fought road victory.”

Jordan Miller led the Hurricanes with 24 points and 11 rebounds, but Miami’s second-half performance was the biggest factor in their road win. With a 35-34 lead at halftime, Miami built a 14-point lead in the second half and shored up the heart of their defense after giving up 26 points in the paint in the first half. The Tar Heels struggled with the increased defensive focus on the inside, and finished the game shooting just 16.1 percent from three-point range.

North Carolina’s recent loss to Pitt at home by just one point was the reference-point Larranaga claimed he gave his players — highlighting just how tough the Tar Heels have been this year in their own gym. Despite the challenge they presented, North Carolina has now lost four of their last five games as teams battle for position and an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.