The Hurricanes face what looms as almost a must win game tonight in College Park against Maryland. The Terps similarly must win this game to keep realistic chances of an NCAA bid alive. Both teams will be desperate, but only one team will emerge with a victory.
For Miami, another loss would probably force the Canes to win two of three upcoming games against the ACC’s top three teams: Wake Forest, Duke and North Carolina to make the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season.
We’ve discussed Miami’s problems closing out games plenty over the past week and no need exists to rehash this. The Hurricanes are making enough shots, scoring enough points and getting positive contributions on offense from enough players to win.
It’s Miami’s defense, particularly on the perimeter that must improve dramatically. Adrian Thomas revitalization the past few weeks has given Miami one consistent perimeter defender in the lineup. However, Miami’s guards seem to have lost their enthusiasm for playing defense, and the Canes o pposition have had far too many open looks at critical junctures in recent games.
Miami beat Maryland in an epic comeback two and a half weeks ago and currently sport a five game win streak over the Terps. Landon Milbourne and Adrian Bowie both played well for Maryland at the Bank United Center: Milbourne causes a mismatch either on Brian Asbury or James Dews. Bowie appears to be too quick for either Jack McClinton or Lance Hurdle to guard effectively.
But mismatches are aplenty the other way as well. The Terps have nobody that can guard Dwayne Collins and must rely on denying the entry pass to the Miami big man to slow him down. Collins has done his part in Miami’s two overtime losses the past week, dominating inside while his team mates made critical mistakes late to lose games.
Maryland will bring full court pressure to try and create turnovers against Miami’s sloppy ball handlers. This philosophy worked for the Terps in Coral Gables in the last game and probably will work again. This means when Miami does break the press they must look inside to Collins early and often. Otherwise, Miami’s season could continue slipping away.
Posts
