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Three players UNC basketball must keep an eye on vs. Miami

2026-02-10 02:30
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Three players UNC basketball must keep an eye on vs. Miami

UNC heads to Miami after beating Duke. Here are the Hurricanes players who could decide the ACC showdown.

Story byThree players UNC basketball must keep an eye on vs. MiamiGrant Chachere, Tar Heels WireTue, February 10, 2026 at 2:30 AM UTC·2 min read

North Carolina must shake off its post-Duke hangover and head to South Beach to face a tough Miami team.

The Hurricanes enter at 18-5 overall and are tied with the Tar Heels for fourth place in the ACC at 7-3 in league play. It’s one of the biggest turnarounds in college basketball this season. Miami went 7-24 last year and finished last in the ACC at 3-17.

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First-year head coach Jai Lucas deserves much of the credit. He has built a deep roster, leaning on the recruiting chops that helped him land the job. Miami signed a top-25 recruiting class and added key pieces through the transfer portal.

Here are some players to watch.

F Malik Reneau (6-9, 233)

Jan 24, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Malik Reneau (right) drives against Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Betsey (left) during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn ImagesJan 24, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Malik Reneau (right) drives against Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Betsey (left) during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Reneau has been one of the best players in the ACC this season, averaging 20.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. The Indiana transfer is a three-level scorer, shooting 56.5% from the field, 34.6% from 3-point range and 79.4% from the free-throw line. He also excels at drawing contact, averaging 6.2 fouls drawn per 40 minutes, the fifth-best mark in ACC games.

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G Tre Donaldson (6-3, 195)

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: Tre Donaldson #3 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after making a three point basket against the Florida Gators during the first half of a game in the Jacksonville Hoops Showdown at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on November 16, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: Tre Donaldson #3 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after making a three point basket against the Florida Gators during the first half of a game in the Jacksonville Hoops Showdown at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on November 16, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

The Michigan transfer is averaging 16.0 points, 6.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Donaldson is shooting 46.5% from the field and 35.0% from 3-point range. He has an assist rate of 30.4%, which ranks seventh in the ACC and in the top 100 nationally.

F Shelton Henderson (6-6, 240)

Clemson Tigers forward Jake Wahlin (10) attempts to steal the ball from Miami Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, during the NCAA men’s basketball game at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina. Clemson Tigers won 69-59.Clemson Tigers forward Jake Wahlin (10) attempts to steal the ball from Miami Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, during the NCAA men’s basketball game at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina. Clemson Tigers won 69-59.

The true freshman is averaging 14.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He is shooting 61.5% from the field and 32.4% from 3-point range. He has an effective field-goal percentage of 64.4%, which ranks 33rd nationally.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Three players to watch from Miami

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