Canes Face Tough Road in ACC

By Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

The real Basketball season for the Hurricanes begins Saturday night in Chestnut Hill against Boston College. The Eagles coming off a remarkable road win against then #1 North Carolina feature a great scorer in Tyrese Rice and a squad that has been improved dramatically from last season thanks to the wonders of Al Skinner's teaching. The remainder of Miami's schedule is against ACC teams.

The Canes who enter the game 11-3 have shown positive signs this season. Winning at Kentucky is never to be sneezed at, nor is the win at Madison Square Garden against an improved St John's team. Miami controlled the game with Ohio State until Jack McClinton was ejected and have posted solid wins over San Diego and Southern Miss, both post season participants from a year ago. But what's troubling about Miami is how the team has lacked focus against less touted low and mid major opposition.

Miami's performance against FAU last night was poor. The team's performance against North Carolina Central a few days earlier was even less to write home about. The Hurricanes have also struggled against Robert Morris, FIU, Stetson and Division II Florida Southern this season.

The problem with the Hurricanes right now is focus: plain and simple. All too often Miami players miss point blank layups and free throw attempts. The same guard combination of Lance Hurdle and James Dews that shot 88% from the line last season is shooting less than 70% this season. Dews and Hurdle also have problems finishing in transition and even when they get bailed out with a foul call they are no longer automatic from the line.

Miami's big men appear awkward and at times seem to be forcing shots. This is less of a concern than Hurdle and Dews, as the ACC has a real lack of quality big men. Dwayne Collins for all his problems early this season may have already faced the toughest matchups possible against quality big men from Connecticut, Ohio State and Clemson. Sure Collins will face Tyler Hansbrough twice in the upcoming weeks, but beyond North Carolina, most ACC teams lack size and quality post play. Collins will have some big nights in the ACC if the Miami guards stick to the game plan and feed him the ball in the paint.

The flip side of this coin is the athleticism and great guard play in the league. With Dews and Hurdle struggling defensively, and Jack McClinton being forced to carry the load again, look for Coach Haith to play Adrian Thomas and DeQuan Jones more than expected. Thomas in particular is an outstanding perimeter defender who won't give up easy shots on the defensive end of the floor. Jones for his part brings energy to the defensive side of the ball and is beginning to develop as a scorer.

Miami must become focused and raise the level of intensity to survive the ACC. Otherwise the Canes will be sweating out Selection Sunday this season, something that was not expected when the campaign began.