Breaking Down the Remaining Miami Schedule

Tomorrow: Maryland

Chances of winning: 47.5%

Both teams need this game badly. The Terps seemed destined for the NCAAs but losing against to Virginia Tech, this time at the Comcast Center puts them right back on the bubble where Miami finds itself. A goal for the Terps is to get a first round ACC Tournament bye. Grevis Vasquez is one of the best scoring guards in the league, and veteran James Gist who seems like he's been at Maryland for ever lead the Terps. Bambale Osby gave Tyler Hansbrough fits in the Terps upset win at the Dean Dome last month. Osby has the type of physical presence that nullifies Miami's advantage inside. the Canes have owned the Terps since joining the ACC four years ago going 5-1 against Maryland. This game is a toss up with a possible advantage to the Terps since the Gary Williams team are always athletic enough to press and Miami's ball handlers have proven yet again the other night against Duke that they have no clue how to break a press or inbound the ball under pressure.

@ Clemson

Chances of winning: 45%

The Canes beat the Tigers last month in Coral Gables but the trip to Littlejohn is never fun. However for some reason, I remain unconvinced by Clemson. The truth is the Tigers seem to simply be a more disciplined version of Miami: A good inside game with decent outside shooters who sometimes are so stone cold that scoring more than 60 points is impossible. KC Rivers and Cliff Hammonds are both solid, but have hardly taken the leap forward many expected prior to this season. Home court is the only reason Clemson should be favored.

Virginia

Chances of winning: 60%

Virginia despite having one of the great shooters in College Basketball, Sean Singletary is a disaster this season. After having come within a game of winning the ACC Regular Season title last year, and then winning in Tuscon this year vs Arizona, I expected the Cavs to push for the league title. Instead they sit alone at the bottom of the league. Why? Defense......they don't play it and they also have a bad knack for blowing late leads. If Miami loses to the Cavs at home they deserve to miss the tournament.

Boston College

Chances of winning: NR

Here we go again and even with more urgency. Miami has lost 13 straight to the Eagles and now that the Canes have beaten Duke, BC remains the only ACC team Miami has not beaten since joining the league. The Eagles are arguably the worst team in the conference and would likely be the worst team in the Big East if they were still there. But something is always wrong with Miami's head when playing BC. I will go on the record once again saying that if Frank Haith loses this game the administration needs to seriously consider firing him, and if he losses this game Miami is NIT bound. I don't even want to get into potential matchups because the Canes need to get their head right before facing BC and that'll solve things, because the Eagles are terrible this year.

@ Florida State

Chances of winning: 40%

The current four game FSU winning streak over Miami is not only embarrassing, but it is the longest winning streak either school has run off against the other since the early 1970s. FSU still has a very talented and dangerous team despite their record and would like nothing better than to spoil Miami's NCAA plans. Tony Douglass had a terrible game the first time out against the Canes, but Jason Rich picked up the slack and along with Isaiah Swann, the Noles cause Miami incredible matchup problems. Sadly, I don't see Miami winning this game so we better somehow get to 8 ACC wins before this game to have a realistic shot of the dancing.