Miami-Florida Southern Thoughts

By Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

The start of a new season for the Canes has brought expectations beyond our wildest dreams just twelve months ago.

A year ago the Canes faced this same Florida Southern team in the opener as the projected last-place team in the ACC.

Entering this season's opener vs. the Mocs, Miami was nationally ranked 16th in the coaches poll and 17th in the AP Poll. The opener a year ago foretold how strong the Canes would be all season long.

Last year I left the BUC thinking, "Wow, are we as good as we looked? We couldn't possibly be that good."

Call me a critic, but I did not leave the arena with that same feeling tonight.

In fact, I have several concerns about the Canes ability to even compete in the ACC should Lance Hurdle not be available as he was not tonight due to injury.

I do believe the Canes will be fine when Hurdle returns, but this just is not the same team without him.

The obvious lesson from the second half of last season is that Hurdle is Miami's engine.

Other players may get the headlines, but the flow of play on both ends is sloppy without Hurdle, and Miami's transition game isn't the same without him.

Tonight, Eddie Rios, his replacement played well. But Rios doesn't have Hurdle's skills just yet.

I felt Dwayne Collins showed some of the killer instinct he lacked in last year's ACC and NCAA Tournaments and that Cyrus McGowan was a pleasant surprise.

McGowan is athletic and has a nice combination of post moves, as well as some shooting range.

DeQuan Jones, the much hyped freshman, was poor today. Perhaps it was first game jitters.

Nate Skinner on the most recent Canes Rising radio podcast called Jones "raw." Once again, Nate was right on the money. That's exactly what Jones is, and hopefully he'll improve as the season wears on and he feels the game a little more.

The good news is that if Brian Asbury plays as well as he did today, Jones will not be needed as much originally thought.

After the game I got home in time to see Florida State-Jacksonville.

FSU has some impressive freshman, but Tony Douglas still turns the ball over and seems to not have the leadership skills required from a senior point guard on a freshman dominated team.

The Noles have talent, but still have issues. Canes Hall of Famer Leonard Hamilton may be looking for work at season's end unless Douglas improves.