Malik Reneau believes the Miami Hurricanes' frontcourt matches UNC's height, promising physicality and dominance to secure a crucial NCAA Tournament-boosting win.
As the Miami Hurricanes men's basketball squad makes final preparations before facing the 11th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, there's so much at stake in this game. A win for coach Jai Lucas and the team would provide a boost to the NCAA Tournament resume. It's going to take near-perfect execution on both sides of the court to potentially pull off what many would consider an upset.
Senior forward Malik Reneau expects the Hurricanes to meet the Tar Heels' size.
"They're [Tar Heels] pretty tall and lengthy," he said. "I think we fit well in our size and guarding them. I don't think that's going to be an issue and we're going to guard all their sets; it just comes down to one-on-one, guard your man, and guarding your yard."
The Hurricanes have size with Reneau and senior center Ernest Udeh Jr. in the frontcourt. Both provide different qualities offensively, but defensively are similar, with great verticality. As first-time teammates, it took time for them to find a flow while sharing the court, but it has progressed throughout the regular season.
Reneau and Udeh Jr. haven't battled many lengthy frontcourts, besides the Florida Gators in late Nov., which didn’t go well for either of them. However, the 22-year-old expects them to meet the Tar Heels with a certain level of dominance.
"I think we have to be the more physical group out of the bunch," Reneau added. "Being dominant on the court, rebounding the ball at a high aspect, guarding their frontcourt players too. There's a lot that goes into it, but just being sharp for all 40 minutes and not taking our head off the swivel."
"Being there for the whole 40 minutes to get this win."
Also sharing the frontcourt with both veterans is freshman Shelton Henderson, who isn't as tall, listed at 6-6, but is versatile and possesses great athleticism. The 19-year-old will have opportunities to leave an imprint on the game, especially against fellow freshman Caleb Wilson. He's averaging 20.2 points on 58.5 percent shooting from the field, 9.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals in 31.6 minutes. The Georgia native is projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
The Hurricanes' ability to contain him will play a factor in their chances to win.
Both programs are 7-3 in ACC play heading into the matchup.
A win or loss could be the biggest difference in the Hurricanes' chances of making the NCAA Tournament.
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