Miami Basketball Preview

Last season, for only the 2nd time in school history Miami won two postseason games. The problem was those two games were in the NIT, and Miami proved wildly inconsistent all season long, beating North Carolina on the road and taking Duke to the brink in the ACC Tournament, yet losing to Virginia by 20 points and being smashed by Michigan early in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

The Hurricanes lose their two leading scorers from last yearÂ’s NIT Quarterfinalist squad, yet could be better this season. While most national previews have Miami picked 10th or 11th in the ACC, I really believe they will finish higher than that. For starters, the Hurricanes had the best defense in the ACC last season and this year they have a more defensive oriented team. Secondly, even though the departed Rob Hite andGuilermoo Diaz accounted for about half of the Hurricanes scoring, they took a disproportionate amount of shots and often times did not allow the offense to flow properly.

Center Anthony King should be the key this year for the Hurricanes. Coach Frank Haith has often commented that King doesn't demand the ball enough and that under ideal circumstances King would get a touch every other possession down the court. King is a shot blocking monster and is one of the best inside defenders in the ACC. Junior Ray Hicks came on towards the end of last season and he should also be a key player inside. Hicks is only 6-7 but is strong and can take on defenders who are much bigger. Dwayne Collins a Freshman appears to be the most athletic Miami big man since the great Tim James in the late 1990s. Look for Collins to make an instant impact. Jimmy Graham whose uneven play as a freshman really frustrated Miami coaches figures to be key off the bench. Graham is a poor shooter and is careless with the ball. He is a solid defender though.

The Miami backcourt is more of a mystery. Anthony Harris regressed substantially late last season from his 2004-2005 form. Harris is not assured of starting at point guard. Harris is turnover prone and suffers from poor shot selection. Denis Clemente who will push Harris for the starting job at point guard has improved his shooting but he is a serious defensive liability. Jack McClinton, a transfer from Siena is the likely starter at shooting guard. McClinton is a good shooter and can take the ball to the basket off the dribble.

Brian Asbury remains a mystery. As a Freshman he was a complete waste, but evidently he has improved his play in the offseason and could provide an importantdimensionn for the Hurricanes: the ability to break down the defense and take the ball to the basket off the dribble. James Dews a highly recruited freshman from Ohio is a good shooter but a poor defender and turnover prone. He needs some seasoning before making an impact.

Miami is likely to head to the NIT yet again. Since the departure of Leonard Hamilton's last recruits from the program, the Hurricanes have not made the NCAA Tournament. This squad will be young and hungry, but they are a year away from returning to the big dance.

LIKELY STARTERS

G Denis Clemente/So Bayamon, Puerto Rico
G Jack McClinton/So Baltimore, MD
F Ray Hicks/Jr Longview, TX
F Dwayne Collins/Fr Miami
C Anthony King/Sr Durham, NC

KEY RESERVES

G Anthony Harris/Sr Chicago, IL
F Brian Asbury/So Miami
F Adrian Thomas/So Pembroke Pines
F Jimmy Graham/So Goldsboro, NC
G James Dews/Fr Westchester, OH