Kartik Krishnaiyer/Canes Rising Staff
Now that it’s February and Miami has a marquee conference win we need look at the conference and begin to think about the NCAA bubble. I’ve heard Wake referred to as a non-marquee win since the Canes 27 point victory, but let me dispel that with one fact: Wake Forest has beaten the top four teams in the current ACC standings already.
Miami has seven conference games remaining. Recall, last season Miami went 8-8 in the ACC and yet did not even have to sweat out Selection Sunday. The previous season both Duke and Georgia Tech went 8-8 and easily made the field. However, we all recall Florida State finishing 9-7 in the ACC in 2005 and missing the field and many may forget Virginia’s 8-8 ACC campaign in 2000 which included a sweep of North Carolina but ended up with an NIT bid.
Somehow, Miami must get to 9-7 to ensure an NCAA bid. That is unlikely, so 8-8 and two ACC Tournament wins will have to do. Miami must win two of the next four all against good opponents, and then sweep the final three against weaker opponents to ensure not having to rely on a deep ACC Tournament run to make the NCAAs.
@ Duke POSSIBLE WIN
Miami has a better chance in this game than many may think but with Duke coming off a crushing loss to Clemson, perhaps this is the wrong time to catch the Devils. The Canes can go inside on Greg Zoubek and David McClure and if the defensive intensity Miami showed against Wake particularly on the perimeter, the Canes can win in Cameron.
North Carolina VERY LITTLE CHANCE OF A WIN
The Tar Heels have finally learned to play without Marcus Ginyard and are simply too athletic, and too deep for the Canes.
@ Florida State POSSIBLE WIN
Miami has already defeated the Noles once this season, but FSU quite frankly has a better team. Chris Singleton is a beast and Tony Douglas is once again shooting well and setting up easy transition baskets for FSU with his defense. But FSU relies heavily on Freshman and like Wake Forest they may hit a wall late in the season.
Boston College POSSIBLE WIN
Al Skinner is one of America’s best coaches. The Eagles have once again defied the odds and developed a squad that is in the ACC’s upper division despite having very few blue chip recruits. The Canes beat the Eagles in Chestnut Hill but had to play their best game of the year prior to Wednesday to do so. This will be a tough one, even at home.
@ Virginia MUST WIN
Virginia has lost six straight ACC games and has looked poor every time I’ve watched them. Florida State, Virginia Tech and Boston College the schools Miami is competing with for an NCAA bid have already won at John Paul Jones Arena this season: Miami cannot drop this game.
@ Georgia Tech MUST WIN
The Canes have won their last two trips to Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Ivan Shumpert has begun to play well for the Jackets, but Tech is reeling from injuries and may be checked out on the season by the time this game roles around.
NC State MUST WIN
Miami’s overtime loss to NC State last week will remain a blight on the Canes NCAA Resume for the remainder of the season. While the horrible loss cannot be erased, another loss to NC State would probably send the Canes to the NIT if Miami is anywhere near the bubble come Selection Sunday.
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