If you were looking for excuses after Miami knocked off No. 11 North Carolina, Hubert Davis wasn’t interested in offering any.
Following the Hurricanes’ statement win, Davis met the media and pushed back on the idea that UNC was dealing with a “hangover game” after its buzzer-beater victory over Duke just days earlier. Respectfully, he doesn’t buy it.
“I just, respectfully, disagree with a hangover. I don’t believe in that,” Davis said. “But you are right — the energy, effort, loose balls up in the air, on the ground, Miami was getting them.”
Yes, the Tar Heels were coming off one of their biggest wins of the season. Yes, many thought UNC would roll into Coral Gables and steamroll Miami. Instead, it was the Hurricanes who make them eat their words.
Davis pointed to the little things — the ones that decide games.
Rebounding. Shot selection. Discipline. Attention to detail.
UNC lost the rebounding battle, something Davis said has been a daily emphasis over the last five games. Miami won the loose-ball war. Miami was tougher. Miami was sharper.
And it showed on the stat sheet.
The Hurricanes dominated the paint, pouring in 48 points inside, and controlled the glass. They made life uncomfortable for UNC’s go-to options, holding Caleb Wilson to a season-low 12 points.
This wasn’t a trap game. It wasn’t a hangover. It wasn’t about Duke lingering in the Tar Heels’ heads.
Miami just flat-out beat them.
Especially when one team wins the paint, wins the rebounding margin, and wins the effort plays. Jai Lucas’ Hurricanes set the tone, and UNC never consistently matched it.
So while Davis may not believe in hangover games, he was clear about what did happen.
Miami wanted it more, and played like it.
Following the Hurricanes’ statement win, Davis met the media and pushed back on the idea that UNC was dealing with a “hangover game” after its buzzer-beater victory over Duke just days earlier. Respectfully, he doesn’t buy it.
“I just, respectfully, disagree with a hangover. I don’t believe in that,” Davis said. “But you are right — the energy, effort, loose balls up in the air, on the ground, Miami was getting them.”
Yes, the Tar Heels were coming off one of their biggest wins of the season. Yes, many thought UNC would roll into Coral Gables and steamroll Miami. Instead, it was the Hurricanes who make them eat their words.
Davis pointed to the little things — the ones that decide games.
Rebounding. Shot selection. Discipline. Attention to detail.
UNC lost the rebounding battle, something Davis said has been a daily emphasis over the last five games. Miami won the loose-ball war. Miami was tougher. Miami was sharper.
And it showed on the stat sheet.
The Hurricanes dominated the paint, pouring in 48 points inside, and controlled the glass. They made life uncomfortable for UNC’s go-to options, holding Caleb Wilson to a season-low 12 points.
This wasn’t a trap game. It wasn’t a hangover. It wasn’t about Duke lingering in the Tar Heels’ heads.
Miami just flat-out beat them.
Especially when one team wins the paint, wins the rebounding margin, and wins the effort plays. Jai Lucas’ Hurricanes set the tone, and UNC never consistently matched it.
So while Davis may not believe in hangover games, he was clear about what did happen.
Miami wanted it more, and played like it.
