#22 Miami 80 San Diego 45: Final

I've gotten a few requests to do a live blog today since Fox Sports Florida is one of only two FSN affiliates nationally not picking up tonight's Paradise Jam consolation game. For those of you with Directv like myself, channels 642, 646, 660, 661, 664, 668, 671, 683, 687, 694, and 696 are all showing the game. Pity Florida is so anti-college basketball!

The Canes fell five spots in the coaches poll and the AP poll after last night's loss to #2 U Conn. Join us at 6pm ET for all the action here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Glad to see Larry Conely one of the best analysts anywhere back for tonight's game. Keep in mind San Diego actually beat UConn in last year's NCAAs.

Rios, McClinton, Dews, Collins and McGowan starts for the Canes.

Let's hope Eddie Rios can give the Canes more than five minutes and as many bonehead decisions tonight.

Quick start for the Canes. James Dews hits a two point jumper from outside and after Jack McClinton swipes the ball away on defense Dwayne Collins goes inside and gets a basket and draws a foul. DC hits the free throw and the Canes rush out to a 5-0 lead.

With the score 9-4 Gyno Pomare of San Diego picks up a second foul which could be a huge development for the Canes. Jimmy Graham and Lance Hurdle check in for the first time.

Miami has gone cold and gotten sloppy. The Toreros have cut the lead to three at the under 16 timeout.

DeQuan Jones and Brian Asbury check in for the first time. Lance Hurdle hits a three and Juilan Gamble checks in. Considering Hurdle is 3 for 6 from the line in his first two games of the season and last year shot close 90% from the line, his first three pointer of the season is very welcome news.

Jimmy Graham gets called for a foul after a wild three point shot by Lance Hurdle, but the Canes lead 18-8 at the under 12 timeout. San Diego is now on a 5-0 run and the score is 19-13 with under 10:00 to go in the first half. But Graham picks up his second foul and we have the under 8 timeout, Miami still up 6 even though Jack McClinton is scoreless.

A great dunk by DeQuan Jones puts the Canes up seven, but then Cyrus McGowan fails to box out and the Toreros get an easy put back. After some back and forth action including a McGowan three pointer, Lance Hurdle commits a charge which gives San Diego the chance to cut the Miami lead to four.

Two consecutive three pointers by the Toreros cut the Canes lead to four at the under four timeout. San Diego has the ball.

Out of the timeout the Canes make a stop and then Brian Asbury hits a jumper. Canes lead by six. Asbury continues some fine play but the Canes continue to show a sloppiness on defense and lead by eight at halftime. Considering Pomare, quite possibly the best player for the Toreros sat for 17 minutes, i'm not happy with where the Canes are in this game.

HALFTIME MIAMI 38 SAN DIEGO 30

Right away in the second half Pomare goes inside and draws a foul on Collins. That's the 2nd on DC.

The Toreros are doubling and tripling down on DC every time he touches the ball in the paint so someone else inside must step up of the Canes are going to go home losers.

DC picks up his third foul and Pomare is beating him up inside.

As is usual DC goes out and Jimmy Graham comes in and instantly brings an energy that allows the Canes to make a stop when San Diego is threatening to cut it to two and then to go down the court and get two quick baskets in transition. Canes lead by eight, under 16 timeout.

An out of control sequence ensues. Miami has several chances to push the lead to 14 or 15 but fail. Jimmy Graham misses a baby hook, Lance Hurdle over shoots Brian Asbury on a breakaway and Jack McClinton misses an open three. Jack by the way still has not hit a field goal tonight but the Canes lead by 12 thanks to the contributions of Collins and Graham. Julian Gamble has very quietly given the Canes some critical minutes in this second half. Timeout San Diego with 13:40 to go.

In fact Gamble remains out on the floor in place of McGowan after the timeout. The Canes come out of the timeout playing well defensively and the lead is now pushed to 16 and San Diego takes another timeout. The "Graham affect" continues after the timeout and the Canes are now up 56-35 at the under 12 timeout.

Jackson hits a three for San Diego. That ends a 20-0 Miami run. A quick turnover and another basket for the Toreros. Don't get sloppy here guys. You cannot cruise in! Under 8 timeout.

This game has taken on the feel of a slopfest. Guys on both sides now just playing around. James Dews commits a silly charge. He's immediately pulled out for DeQuan Jones. Jack McClinton seems frustrated. He's taking some wild shots, the type he hits when in a rhythm, but he's simply cold today. Not that it matters much at this point as the Canes lead by 24.

McClinton finally hits a three. Larry Conley goes on about how good DeQuan Jones is going to be: lesson to be learned: Atlanta guys stick together. (Conley is from Atlanta and is an SEC guy) Haith unloads the bench with the Canes cruising. Brian Asbury leaves the game with 14 leading the Canes.