Paradise Jam Recap

AP Photo


by Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

With expectations at an all time high for Miami Basketball, Frank Haith's team scheduled an early test: perhaps the toughest early test nationally in traveling to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam Tournament. Unlike Football where polls mean everything, NCAA Basketball has a tried and tested playoff system and falling in the polls early means absolutely nothing. Thus, Miami's loss to Connecticut and subsequent fall five spots in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls is meaningless in the larger scheme of things but the Canes experience gained from facing three good teams: an NIT team from a year ago (Southern Miss), the #2 team in the country (U Conn), and an NCAA second round team (San Diego) from last season trumps all.

Here are some thoughts from the three games:

• Dwayne Collins looks ready this season to be a beast inside. A double-double again U Conn was just the beginning. Collins should always be the primary option offensively. This will take pressure off the guards in the half court sets to throw up wild shots. Jimmy Graham as always can attempt to clean up Collins misses inside with his incredible athleticism and work rate.
  
• Jack McClinton hit some circus shots versus UConn but the defensive work of AJ Price and Craig Austrie on defense for the Huskies was so physical and swarming that Jack wore down in the game even missing a critical front end of a one and one. Truth be told the ACC is a softer league than the Big East defensively and physical defensive guards of U Conn's quality may not be found in the ACC. This is an issue for the NCAA Tournament however should Miami make it that far.
  
• Cyrus McGowan is a different type of center that requires some adjustment of Miami's defensive sets. He doesn't box out particularly well nor is he physical enough inside against big bodies like Jeff Adrien of UConn or Gyno Pomare of San Diego. However McGowan's outside game and athleticism will allow him to matchup with ACC big men more easily than Anthony King.
  
• James Dews blows hot and cold. But like last year when he's hot Miami can beat anyone and when he's cold we have an uphill battle.
  
• Point guard play is an issue once again. Jack McClinton had to handle the ball far too often in the three games because of spotty play from Eddie Rios and limited minutes due to injury from Lance Hurdle. Rios is spectacular at times but also turns the ball over far too often and makes some bad decisions in the half court offense. Defensively however, Rios looked very good in this tournament.
  
• DeQuan Jones is not going to score a whole lot as a freshman. Nonetheless, Jones seems to be a high energy and athletic defender which will really be useful for the Hurricanes when the ACC campaign roles around. Expect Jones minutes to increase steadily.
  
• Brian Asbury had a fairly good tournament especially on the defensive end.
• Julian Gamble gave some critical minutes against San Diego. The impressive thing about Gamble was he knew his role. He didn't try and shoot and he didn't step of the lane and try and double team a quick guard on defense.
  
• Adrian Thomas can shoot but is not mentally back from his multiple injuries. Thomas however looks like he is physically ready to play more if his head catches up.