Miami's run of big games and tough games continues tonight at Littlejohn Coliseum against Clemson the 5th consecutive Miami opponents ahead of the Canes in the ACC standings. Miami has beaten the previous four teams in a row it was looking up at, after losing four consecutive games to teams below the Canes in the ACC standings. A Miami win will essentially make any bubble talk moot as Miami will then only have to win one more game somewhere to seal a bid.
The Tigers are coming off a bad loss away from home to Florida State, a team who is playing its best Basketball of the year late. In that game the Tigers perimeter game faced a super meltdown and Florida State's Ryan Reid and Uche Efechu were able to effectively clog up the middle. In Miami’s first meeting against Clemson the Canes inside game was hampered, but Jack McClinton’s late heroics saved the day as Miami won 75-72.
Clemson hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 1998, and hasn’t avoided a losing record in conference play since 1997. A win today could get the Tigers to the magic 8th win to avoid a losing ACC campaign. The Tigers have through the years been prone to late season collapses except when they face Maryland.
The Tigers have a host of experienced players who should be able to get them through a rough patch: KC Rivers, James Mays and Cliff Hammond are all seasoned ACC warriors and Coach Oliver Purnell seems to have gotten the program around the corner. However, doubt remains about Clemson, as it does about Miami for many ACC watchers.
The key tonight for the Canes will be to get some dribble penetration from Lance Hurdle and some quick transition baskets, because Clemson plays a very good half court defense, something Miami relies on breaking down. As has been the case in the last few games, Dwayne Collins must be strong inside, and Brian Asbury really needs to be aggressive, attacking the basket off the dribble and showing an ability to pull up on a dribble drive and take a mid range jumper.
Miami (RPI #23) @ Clemson (RPI #22)
TV: Raycom/ACC Select (Broadband only)
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, SC.
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