Connect with us

Sports

Fresh off jolting rival, No. 14 UNC turns attention to Miami

Published

on

NCAA Basketball: Duke at North CarolinaFeb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates with teammates after the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

If North Carolina coach Hubert Davis is hyped, imagine what his players must be feeling.

The 14th-ranked Tar Heels (19-4, 7-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) are set to visit Miami (18-5, 7-3) for a conference tilt on Tuesday night. The game could represent an emotional challenge for North Carolina, as the Tar Heels are coming off a thrilling 71-68 win over fourth-ranked Duke on Saturday night.

“I’m still a little bit numb,” Davis said after the dramatic home win over North Carolina’s biggest rival.

As for the Hurricanes, they have had some extreme highs and lows in recent years, reaching the NCAA Final Four for the first time in program history in 2023 before suffering through two straight losing seasons, including an embarrassing 7-24 record in 2024-25.

Jai Lucas — in his first season as a head coach — has turned around the Hurricanes. And Lucas, 37, knows the Tar Heels well because he was a Duke assistant/associate head coach for the past three seasons.

Advertisement

The Hurricanes are not deep — they got just seven bench points in their most recent game, a 74-68 win at Boston College on Saturday. Miami also is last in the ACC in 3-point-percentage defense (35.3) and just 12th in 3-point shooting on offense (34.2).

But what the Hurricanes do well is score inside, which is why they lead the ACC in field-goal percentage (51.1).

“That’s how we’re built,” Lucas said. “We have a formula of points in the paint. We’re big. We’re physical. We have to fight for our identity.”

Miami, which is 12-2 at home, starts an imposing front line of 6-foot-11, 265-pound Ernest Udeh Jr. along with Malik Reneau (6-9, 235) and Shelton Henderson (6-6, 240). Even shooting guard Dante Allen looks like a linebacker at 6-4, 220.

Advertisement

The fifth starter is point guard Tre Donaldson, who plays bigger than his listed size (6-2, 195). Donaldson is second on Miami in scoring (15.9) and ranks fourth in the ACC in assists (6.2). Donaldson typically closes strong, which was evident on Saturday as he scored 13 of his 14 points in the second half.

Donaldson also does a great job of getting the ball to Reneau, who ranks fifth in the ACC in scoring (20.0), sixth in field-goal percentage (56.5) and 17th in rebounding (6.5). Reneau is a master of scoring in the paint, using glass often.

Udeh ranks second in the ACC in rebounding (9.6).

Advertisement

Henderson ranks 19th in scoring (14.5). He’s also been efficient, ranking third in field-goal percentage (61.5).

Allen, a freshman averaging 6.6 points, has stepped in for starter Tru Washington, who has been out due to personal reasons.

Meanwhile, the Tar Heels are big, too — or at least tall — as they are led by Caleb Wilson (6-10, 215) and Henri Veesaar (7-0, 225).

Wilson ranks fourth in the ACC in scoring (20.2) and field-goal percentage (58.5) and third in rebounding (9.6). Veesaar is 10th in scoring (16.6), fifth in rebounds and second in field-goal percentage (62.6).

Advertisement

North Carolina’s only other double-figure scorer is Seth Trimble (14.2). Trimble, as every basketball fan in North Carolina knows, hit the last-second 3-pointer to beat Duke on Saturday.

“It’s special,” Trimble said of his shot. “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.”

–Field Level Media

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Pakistan agree to play against India at T20 World Cup after planned boycott

Published

on

Pakistan has agreed to play against India in the Twenty20 World Cup match, the country’s government has said.

This reverses an earlier decision to boycott the cricket clash against its old rival, which had been cited due to geopolitical tensions.

The game is scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka on February 15.

It comes after the Bangladesh Cricket Board urged Pakistan to reverse its boycott following a meeting in Lahore with the ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board.

Pakistan’s boycott of the match in Colombo stems from the ICC replacing Bangladesh with Scotland after Bangladesh refused to travel to co-hosts India.

Advertisement

The ICC confirmed it would not penalise Bangladesh for their refusal to play in India, also announcing Bangladesh would host an ICC event prior to the 2031 50-over World Cup, co-hosted by India and Bangladesh.

BCB president Mohammad Aminul Islam said: “We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period … I request Pakistan to play the game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem.”

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed his team would travel to Colombo for Sunday’s match regardless of Pakistan’s decision.

It now appears the match will go ahead.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Challenge Cup fourth-round draw: Hull KR travel to Huddersfield Giants

Published

on

Holders Hull KR will visit fellow Super League side Huddersfield Giants in round four of the Challenge Cup.

Wakefield Trinity host Leeds Rhinos in a West Yorkshire derby while St Helens visit Castleford Tigers.

Championship side Oldham will take a trip to Perpignan to face Catalans Dragons and Leigh Leopards face Hull FC.

Meanwhile the lowest ranked side still in the competition, Goole Vikings, have a home tie against Warrington Wolves with all 14 Super League clubs still in the competition.

Advertisement

The ties will take place on the weekend of 14-15 March with the specific dates yet to be decided.

The final will be held at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 30 May.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

AOC trashes Jake Paul after Bad Bunny slight

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fired back at boxer Jake Paul on Monday after the fighter called Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen” and vowed to boycott the Super Bowl LX halftime show.

Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was among those fawning over the Grammy Award-winning artist’s act during a game that saw the Seattle Seahawks take home their second Super Bowl title in a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Advertisement
AOC speaks to reporters

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks to reporters at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 21, 2025. (Michael Karas/NorthJersey.com/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

“A ‘fake American citizen?’ Didn’t you MOVE to Puerto Rico to avoid paying your taxes while kids across America go hungry?” the congresswoman wrote on X.

“Meanwhile Benito actually funds low income kids’ access to arts and sports programs, while you defund them. Of course you’re mad. He makes you look small.”

Paul later clarified that he was rebuking Bad Bunny because of his stance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations despite being an American citizen.

Anthony Joshua goes head-to-head with Jake Paul

Jake Paul fights Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight bout at Kaseya Center on Dec. 19, 2025, in Miami, Florida. (Ed Mulholland/Getty Images for Netflix)

SEAHAWKS FANS PUT ON RAUCOUS CELEBRATION IN SEATTLE AFTER TEAM’S SUPER BOWL WIN

Advertisement

“To clarify: I wasn’t calling anyone a ‘fake citizen’ because they’re from Puerto Rico. I live in Puerto Rico, and I love Puerto Rico. I have used my platform to support Puerto Rico time and time again and will always do so,” Paul wrote on X. “But if you’re publicly criticizing ICE who are doing their job and openly hating on America, I’m going to speak on it. Period. That’s the same reason I called out Hunter Hess.

“If you benefit from a country and the platform it gives you, but publicly disrespect it at the same time, that’s what I mean by being a fake citizen. And I agree love is more powerful than hate. Love America.”

Bad Bunny prominently spoke out against ICE when he received his Grammy Award for Album of the Year earlier this month.

Bad Bunny performs in California

Bad Bunny performs during halftime of Super Bowl LX, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Advertisement

“ICE out,” he said. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens — we are humans, and we are Americans.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Travis Kelce NFL retirement rumors rife as football star set to play Pebble Beach Pro Am 2026

Published

on

Travis Kelce’s retirement rumors have once again been fueled since the end of the 2026 NFL season. In 2025, too, it was rumored that the TE was considering leaving the league after the Kansas City Chiefs failed to make history after their loss in Super Bowl LIX. Later, he responded to the allegations and revealed his decision to stay for at least one more season.

This year, the rumors resurfaced again following the announcement of his increased involvement in golf. According to recent announcements, Travis Kelce will headline the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and tee off on the field. The tournament has a history of celebrity and amateur golfers matching up with pros for the first two rounds, but this season’s event is focusing more on the professional side of the game, thus there aren’t many celebs scheduled.

Advertisement

Until February 9, Travis Kelce is the sole celebrity confirmed to attend the event, as reported by the Pebble Beach Pro-Am’s Instagram page. The caption on this post said,

Advertisement

“Keeping it 100 at the @attproam. Special guest @killatrav officially joins the field next Thursday and Friday at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.”

Kelce’s participation in this tournament has fueled speculation that if he decides to retire from football, he may be able to play golf more frequently. His contract with the Chiefs was for two years and valued at $34.25 million. This deal expires at the end of the 2026 season, and Kelce will be eligible for free agency starting from this March.

Aside from all of these considerations, Travis Kelce was also present at the WM Phoenix Open, where he swung one of the top shots on the course. Interestingly, before his involvement in this tournament, he also had an important conversation with his fiancée.


Taylor Swift gives Travis Kelce some critical advice concerning the WM Phoenix Open

Syndication: Arizona Republic - Source: ImagnSyndication: Arizona Republic - Source: Imagn
Syndication: Arizona Republic – Source: Imagn

Travis Kelce was present at the TPC Scottsdale, which hosted the 2026 WM Phoenix Open. He was participating in a pro-am event and made a great shot on the par-3 hole 16. This hole is regarded as one of the most difficult due to the buildup of pressure caused by the course being surrounded by fans. Interestingly, Kelce’s tee ball landed only a few shots from the hole. The Golf Channel’s X page reported on this with the caption,

“TRAVIS KELCE WITH AN ABSOLUTE DART ON THE 16TH. 🔥🎯 The 3x Super Bowl champ sticks it to within a few feet and wins the gold WM chain!”

Following this shot, the TE added that his fiancee Taylor Swift, offered him some critical advice before the event to enjoy. Kelce discussed it in an interview, and according to Newsweek, he stated:

“Just go and have fun, sweetie. That’s the only advice she can give on a day like today.”

For his impressive shot, Kelce also received the WM Phoenix Open’s iconic golf chain.

Advertisement