North Carolina needs to shake off the post-Duke hangover and head to South Beach to take on a tough Miami team.
The Hurricanes are 18-5 overall and tied with the Tar Heels for fourth place in the ACC with a 7-3 record 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 with a 3-17 record.
Advertisement
First-year head coach Jai Lucas deserves much of the credit. He put together a comprehensive roster, drawing on the recruiting skills 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)
January 24, 2026; Syracuse, New York, United States; Miami Hurricanes forward Malik Reneau (right) dunks against Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Betsey (left) during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory credit: Riche 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 percent from the field, 34.6 percent from 3-point range and 79.4 percent from the free throw line. He also excels at making contact, averaging 6.2 fouls committed per 40 minutes, the fifth-best mark in ACC games.
Advertisement
G Tre Donaldson (6-3, 195)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 16: Tre Donaldson #3 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after making a three-point field goal against the Florida Gators during the first half of a Jacksonville Hoops Showdown game 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 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. The 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 passing percentage of 64.4%, which ranks him 33rd nationally.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article was originally published on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: three players to watch from Miami
