Haith Seeks to Change the Pace Tonight

Miami looked painfully outclassed and out coached for most of Tuesday night's debacle in Chestnut Hill against Boston College. Coach Frank Haith feeling the heat after the game (and probably due to the constant rumors unfounded as they may be on the message boards that Anthony Grant is poised to take the Miami job if Haith fails to make the NCAAs this season) and knowing his squad came out totally unprepared to face a quicker more disciplined team expect to see some changes in style and lineup tonight versus NC State.

One obvious change is that Lance Hurdle who had his best game as a Hurricane in an otherwise awful effort versus B.C. will see more time at point guard. This will allow Jack McClinton to push out to the shooting guard position and help Miami's offense flow more naturally, and not break down as often as it did against Boston College (and against Georgia Tech as well.) Other changes should include Anthony King going to the bench and shifting Dwayne Collins inside to Center and starting Ray Hicks at Power Forward and keeping the option of energy and strong defense on the bench in the form of Miami's bets big man, Jimmy Graham. Brian Asbury who has been hit or miss all year should also ride pine tonight.

Here is the lineup I would start:

PG: Hurdle
SG: McClinton
SG: Dews
PF: Hicks
C: Collins


This smaller, quicker lineup should give Miami the energy it needs. Jimmy Graham obviously is your 6th man who should get more minutes than Hicks and Collins. Anthony King needs to refocus his game on going inside and blocking shots on defense rather than taking 16 foot fall away jumpers to impress the NBA scouts. Brian Asbury needs to be stimulated to play tougher and smarter as well. Asbury is a good shooter and unlike the other Miami guards and small forwards he can create his own shot. But his unwillingness to be aggressive and his inability to move towards the basketball means he needs to have his minutes reduced for the foreseeable future.

Miami needs to win tonight. It is almost certain even with a win, Miami will drop from the AP Top 25. However national rankings don't mean a whole lot and by my estimate Miami must win at least three ACC road games to make the NCAA Tournament. NC State, despite a 7-1 home record is reeling right now having looked pedestrian to say the least in its first two ACC games of the year. Both games however were on the road and both were against very good teams: North Carolina and Clemson.

Miami has proven already this season it has trouble running with ACC caliber opponents. However the lack of discipline this team demonstrated on the offensive end of the floor in both its ACC games dictate that the team must get quicker and more athletic in order to avoid finishing in the bottom tier of the ACC. Miami may have a better inside game than most ACC teams but yet they have absolutely discipline in their shot selection and unless that changes this team is likely to miss the NCAAs. The rest of the season begins tonight.