Gamenight: #21 Miami hosts Ohio State

By Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

A high profile week for the Hurricanes looms with two national TV games against Ohio State and @ Kentucky. While this week appears tough on paper it's no tougher than the average week in the ACC and substantially softer than many weeks in the ACC. The early season showings by Florida State, Maryland, Clemson and NC State indicate they could push the predicted top four which includes Miami when the ACC season begins. So facing BJ Mullins and Ohio State shouldn't be any tougher than most ACC games.

BJ Mullins is the latest 7 footer to become a key part of the Ohio State program. The Buckeyes prefer to play a zone defense when they have a huge big man inside. We saw this two years ago with Greg Oden as their zone gave the Big Ten fits. But when facing the national champion Florida Gators that year, the ability of Lee Humphrey, Taueun Green and Corey Brewer to rain threes from outside forced the Buckeyes to play man opening up the paint area for Al Horford and Joakim Noah.

Tonight Miami must do the same thing early. Jack McClinton is a much better shooter in the second half of games than the first half: it literally takes the Canes main man a half to heat up. James Dews, an Ohio native that was recruited by the Buckeyes must also be on the mark early.

As goes Lance Hurdle goes the Canes. Hurdle's injury against UConn eliminated any opportunity Miami had of winning that game. Last season in ACC play and into the NCAA Tournament, when Hurdle was on, Miami usually won. The point guard has dual responsibility tonight to handle the ball well and to find the open man early in order to bust OSU's zone. Eddie Rios must do the same when he spells Hurdle.

Miami is good in the paint. But Ohio State's zone usually takes away a team's inside game unless it is forced to loosen up based on some early threes. So as much as Miami fans would like to see a big dose of Dwayne Collins and Cyrus McGowan inside early, realistically they have to work to set up the outside shooters while holding firm on defense. Mullins will be guarded by the experienced and tough Dwayne Collins. The winner of that battle will likely see his team win the game.

Jimmy Graham and freshman DeQuan Jones will be counted on to provide energy off the bench. The UM students will show up tonight for sure and bring energy to the building. But Miami students alone cannot fill up the newly expanded Bank United Center. The locals must come as well. Game time is 7:00PM ET and the game is on ESPN.