Canes struggle to defeat Robert Morris

by Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

After racing out to a 14 point lead late in the first half, the Hurricanes struggled in the second half to defeat Robert Morris. The Colonials qualified for the NIT last season, and are the fourth post season participant from last year that the Canes have beaten early this season. Previously, Miami has defeated San Diego and Kentucky, NCAA participants last season away from home as well as Southern Miss an NIT team from last March.

Concerns are abound for the Canes, despite the pre-season expectations and national ranking. The team is still overly reliant on Jack McClinton to provide scoring down the stretch in games and on Jimmy Graham to provide energy and defensive pressure in the paint. This team proved that without Jack McClinton it can blow a double digit halftime lead at home in front of a pumped up crowd. What's even more troubling is that the Hurricanes free throw shooting, which was at close to 80% in ACC and post season play a year ago is now hovering around 65%.

Miami's offense has been static for the last two and a half games. After a spectacular first half at Rupp Arena against Kentucky, the Canes went into meltdown mode in the second twenty minutes, and now have played two consecutive uninspiring games at home on the offensive end of the floor.

The problems for Miami as I see them are outlined below.

• Lack of intensity from Dwayne Collins.
  

Collins seems to have left his game in the Virgin Islands. After an outstanding weekend of basketball at the Paradise Jam Tournament, Collins has virtually disappeared offensively and become a liability defensively. Collins to frequently doesn't use his size to gain good position in the paint and also has mishandled countless passes from Miami's guards into him when he posts up.

Defensively Collins lacks the fighter instinct that Jimmy Graham and Julian Gamble posses. On several occasions in the second half against Kentucky and today against Robert Morris, Collins failed to box out and gave the opposition second chance point opportunities.

• Poor movement on the perimeter
  

All too often, Miami's guards become stagnant in their off the ball movement on offense and wait for Jack McClinton to bail them out. About half the time, McClinton does bail them out. James Dews in particular gets lost on offense and does not fight through screens on defense. Brian Asbury is inconsistent while Lance Hurdle seems to try and do too much at times.

• Over reliance on 3 point/outside shooting
  

Perhaps it is because of Collins' lack of willingness to fight for inside position, but the Hurricanes have been less willing to pound the ball inside and try and to try and draw fouls on the opposing post players than last season. Cyrus McGowan after a hot start also has cooled off and has been getting the majority of his point recently on put backs after missed outside shots.

• Missed free throws

Self explanatory and unacceptable. The reality is Miami went from a bubble team to a seventh seed in last year's NCAA Tournament simply because of the ability of the Canes guards to make free throws late in games. This year Miami has been missing critical free throws late in games: Jack McClinton missed the front end of a one and one with the Canes down seven with 1:30 against UConn. James Dews went 0 for 4 in the last two minutes as Miami was trying to close out Kentucky and today both James Dews and Brian Asbury missed FTs in the last :30 seconds.

The Hurricanes are 7-2, and as of this writing ranked in the Top 20 in the RPI. However with the biggest game of the young season upcoming this Sunday against Clemson, Miami must significantly improve to win the ACC opener.