Quick turnarounds after big wins are usually the most dangerous spot for a team to be. And North Carolina experienced all kinds of emotions are beating Duke on Saturday. Seth Trimble hit a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds, sending the Dean Dome into a frenzy.
Just over 72 hours later, the Tar Heels found themselves away from their home building and on the road in Coral Gables. A former Duke assistant, Jai Lucas, is now in charge at Miami. Lucas was looking for one of his first true signature wins inside the ACC and got it. Miami took down North Carolina on Tuesday night, 75-66.
An all-around performance took place from the Hurricanes, at least on the offensive end. Four of the five starters finished the game in double figures. Malik Reneau came out as the top guy, scoring 16 points on 5-11 shooting. Reneau made a three-pointer, one of the three Miami hit all night. Ernest Udeh Jr put in a critical 35 minutes as well, making seven of his eight shots for 15 points.
Moving to North Carolina, they did not get the type of production from star players they did during the rivalry game. Caleb Wilson only put up 12 points, four of which were from the free throw line. Trimble only got five shots, making none of them. All four of his points were at the charity stripe, too. Not exactly how anybody in Chapel Hill expected to follow up such a massive win for the program.
The result also brings some changes to the ACC regular season title race. Miami moves into a tier within striking distance, only having three blemishes in the loss column. Clemson and Duke currently hold a share for first place, losing just once. Heading into mid-February, Miami is certainly in position to make some kind of run.
Another step forward to accomplishing that can come Saturday. A road trip to NC State, which was blown out on Big Monday, takes place in Raleigh. Lucas can sweep the week of Tobacco Road programs.
North Carolina loses some of the equity they built up with the Duke victory. Hubert Davis sees his team drop to four ACC losses, needing to make up some serious ground moving forward. Five teams are going to be ahead of them going into the weekend. A nice string of wins plus some help in front will be required.