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ACC Basketball: Miami vs. North Carolina preview, prediction, TV schedule

By Michael Foy

Feb 9, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) shoots against Duke Blue Devils forward Amile Jefferson (21) in the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) shoots against Duke Blue Devils forward Amile Jefferson (21) in the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Thursday afternoon in the ACC basketball league, the Miami Hurricanes take on the North Carolina Tar Heels in a quarterfinals match-up of the ACC Tournament.

TV Schedule: Thursday, Mar. 9, 12:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

Arena: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

Prediction: North Carolina 80, Miami 68

North Carolina is quite possibly the best team in the country. They are a lock for a number one seed, but a conference tournament title could give them the potential number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels have a lot to play for and are one of the hottest teams in the country, winning five of their last six games, with four of them coming against ranked opponents. Coming off a double bye, the Tar Heels are battle tested and rested for this match-up with Miami.

Related Story: Georgia Tech's season ends with first round loss to Pitt

Miami is an NCAA Tournament team, and honestly not the team UNC fans wanted to see. They probably preferred a match-up with Syracuse, a team they took down decisively, in a 85-68 win earlier this season. Why don’t UNC fans want to see their Heels play Miami? Well, the Hurricanes are one of four ACC teams to beat the Tar Heels this season. To make matters worse, Carolina also suffered their worst loss all year to Miami, losing by 15 back in January.

Despite this, I truly believe that this is the exact team the Tar Heels wanted to face. There is talk amongst players that this is a revenge season for the Tar Heels, that they have unfinished business. They are on a mission to win the national championship. That revenge tour starts Thursday afternoon against an opponent who gave them their worst loss to date this year.

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Miami will do their best to keep it close, but Carolina will come out swinging and should win decisively. North Carolina’s path to the national championship starts Thursday afternoon, let’s see if the Heels are ready.