Final Grades: Miami Basketball (Guards)

Ja'Quan Newton(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                 Canes Rising Contributor


Tell me if you've heard this story before: Miami narrowly misses out on NCAA Tournament bid, makes it to the NIT, young players emerge late. This season may have ended in a frustrating loss, but this team is on the verge of something special.  The 2014-2015 Miami Hurricanes showed us what they could be by defeating Duke and competing against elite teams like Notre Dame and Louisville, but lacked consistency.  The expectations will be raised next season, and for good reason.


Final Grades


Angel Rodriguez

(11.9PPG/2.3RPG/3.9APG)

Growth Opportunities--When someone is given the immense responsibility of the point guard position, it's expected that they will protect the basketball, and make good decisions.  Angel Rodriguez struggled to do both, and was a disappointment to say the least. Rodriguez wants to be a scorer, but lacks an efficient jumper. It's slow, and inaccurate, as his awful percentages indicate.  He's a volume scorer who takes awful shots at the worst possible times, hardly what any coach would want from his starting point guard. When Rodriguez does drive to the basket, he lacks a floater, and can't finish consistently.  Angel is also careless with the ball in late game situations, and is extremely inefficient in the half court.

Season Summary--Angel Rodriguez is the personification of everything that was the 2014 'Canes: wildly inconsistent, and capable of dazzling performances.  Rodriguez led Miami to wins over Florida and Duke, but also cost Miami in other big games, due to his inability to play within Jim Larranaga's system. A perfect example of Rodriguez's play would be the closing moments  of Miami's visit to Louisville. With the 'Canes down two, with eight seconds remaining, Rodriguez chose to take a contested three, knowing full well he hadn't made many shots all afternoon.  He overlooked open options, choosing to take the game into his own hands.  Miami fell that day, and that game was another blown opportunity.  This team looked significantly better without Rodriguez in the starting lineup, and had their best run of consistent play once Rodriguez was sidelined with a wrist injury.  He is slated to return next season, but fans should hope for his role to be reduced.  Grade: C+

Manu Lecomte

(7.9 PPG/1.8APG/45.6  3P%)

Growth Opportunities--Manu needs to get stronger, bigger guards consistently overwhelm him, especially in press situations.  His ability to finish around the rim could use a little work, his floater still isn't as high percentage as one would like.  Defensively, Manu doesn't challenge the opposition using his speed, as his steal numbers could be a bit higher.  He still can't consistently create his own shot, and tends to dribble excessively.

Season Summary--At the end of last season, Manu Lecomte looked like the best player on the roster, times have changed.  Manu has a role of this team, it's not the role that people thought it would be.  He's a good shooter, and a decent ballhandler, but isn't a player who should start frequently.  He's the best free throw shooter on the team, shooting 87.7% from the charity stripe.  While his progression wasn't as great as expected following last season's closing flurry, he's still a valuable role player, and will most likely be counted on heavily next season.  Grade: C


Ja'Quan Newton

(4.0 PPG/1.4 APG/40.0 3P%)

Growth Opportunities--'Quan is fast, but tends to play out of control at times.  His decision making is questionable, and he doesn't understand half court concepts.  He does tend to dribble himself into bad situations, and struggles in late shot clock situations. While his three point percentage looks good on paper, his jumper isn't anywhere near good, he doesn't take shots outside of fifteen feet for a reason. Like most young players, defensive effort can be a problem at times.  The biggest Newton has is at the free throw line.  A guard shooting below 70%, especially one that slashes to the rim frequently is a troubling sign.

Season Summary--Don't let the numbers fool you, Newton is the real deal at point guard.  He's strong in the body, can finish at the rim, and brings a toughness that can't be taught.  He came on  strong late in the season, indicating that the light may be ready to turn on.  What makes Newton special is his blinding speed, and his ability to get to the rim at will.  Newton still has a ways to go, but this is the point guard of the future.  Grade: C+

Deandre Burnett

(7.0 PPG/2.0 RPG/29.2 3P%)

Growth Opportunities--For a scorer, 'Dre doesn't shoot as well as one would hope.  He's very streaky, and can go on long dry spells. His shot selection can be extremely bad, and his basketball IQ is low in the half court.   The biggest problem for the young guard is his defensive effort.  He has the quickness and body type to be a good defensive player, but doesn't apply himself the way he should.  Decision making when running the point is also a cause for concern.

Season Summary--Deandre "The Microwave" Burnett is a player who provides instant offense, and can really light it up, as evidenced by his outstanding nineteen point performance against Illinois.  He did go through an extended period in which he couldn't find his way onto the court, but was an important part of the lineup in the latter part of the regular season, and in the NIT. He does have his flaws, but scorers like Deandre aren't found on trees.  He has a big role to play, provided he does what's asked of him. Grade: C+

Quick Shots: Notre Dame (ACC Tournament)

It was just out of reach for Miami (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
               Canes Rising Contributor

Miami had an opportunity to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament, but couldn't overcome a sluggish start, losing to Notre Dame by the score of 70 to 63.  While the 'Canes are technically still on the bubble, Miami most likely won't hear their name called on Selection Sunday. The 'Canes have a convincing argument, but there's too many teams ahead of them in the pecking order.  The second half of this ACC Tournament quarterfinal featured a valiant comeback, but Notre Dame held off the hard charging 'Canes.

Quick Shots

Defense Optional--In the first half, Notre Dame was able to rip the 'Canes apart with outstanding ball movement and great shooting.  It also helped that Miami didn't bother to do anything defensively.  This wasn't a case of Coach L  not changing defenses, he tried a variety of looks, but it didn't matter as long as the players didn't try. In the first half, Miami looked like a team that was ready for the offseason, that all changed in the second half.  The 'Canes looked like a totally different team, a team that desperately wanted to be in the big dance. They shut the Irish down, forcing bad shot after bad shot.  Notre Dame went from being on fire, to ice cold seemingly within seconds of the second half starting. That was more the result of Miami forcing the action, than a team not shooting well.  Going to a matchup zone was a great move, and the players responded to the change.

Angel Rodriguez--He's been great, he's been awful, but Angel Rodriguez is never boring.   Against Notre Dame, Rodriguez put together an outstanding performance, scoring a team high fifteen points.  He made some mistakes but he was fearless all night, slashing to the basket with reckless abandon.  Whether anyone likes it or not, Angel is a big part of this team, and his trials and tribulations have been front and center this season.  We can only hope that he continues to improve and that he can become a consistent player.  The tools are there, the desire is there, it just needs to be harnessed.

Insufficient Funds--The money ball wasn't there for the 'Canes, as they shot 25% from beyond the arc.  In the first half, Miami had a ton of open looks, but were unable to connect.  Adding insult to injury, a lot of the misses resulted in fast breaks for Notre Dame, who then took open threes in transition.  The inability to make shots put Miami in a deep hole, a hole that proved to be too deep.  This team has been maddeningly inconsistent from the perimeter, and tonight was no exception. The difference between this team going to the NCAAs, and going to the NIT is consistency.  Miami isn't good enough on the perimeter to stretch defenses on a consistent basis.

Struggling Swingmen--Davon Reed and Sheldon McClellan are two athletic tweeners who can make things happen on the perimeter and in the lane.  Nothing happened against Notre Dame as both players struggled, combining for only sixteen points, on 5/19 shooting.  Sheldon has been a good decision maker all season, but he fell in love with the contested shot, jacking up awful shots all night.  Notre Dame challenged McClellan, and he wasn't up to the challenge for one of the few times this season. Davon wasn't much better, he didn't come anywhere near his 50% clip from deep.  What was truly frustrating was the fact that neither player could finish around the rim.  Davon had multiple opportunities to score off of offensive rebounds, but was unable to do so.  A lot of his best chances came during winning time, when the 'Canes were about to take control of the game.  So many missed chances, chances that if taken advantage of, could have turned this game.

Quick Shots: FSU (Round II)

Angel Rodriguez(Photo Credit: Miami Herald)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                  Canes Rising Contributor


It's amazing how much one player can impact a game.  Miami was ready to kill on Wednesday night, the 'Canes were up by fourteen points over Florida State with four minutes remaining.  Suddenly,  Xavier Rathan-Mayes decided that he was going to put on a show.  FSU's scintillating guard put on a shooting display that slashed Miami's lead and turned a rout into a nail biter.  Rathan-Mayes, who had been kept in check all game, scored 27 points in the final three minutes with most of them coming on impossible shots.  Miami found a way to hold on, and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive, defeating the pesky 'Noles 81-77. This victory keeps Miami on the bubble, with the Tar Heels of North Carolina visiting the BUC on Saturday.

Quick Shots

Saved by an Angel--This is the performance that we've all been waiting for.  Angel Rodriguez stepped up and carried this Miami team, and did it in a way that allowed other players to contribute.  Rodriguez didn't jack up ill-advised shots, he got to the rim, and for one of the few times this season, he finished his drives with controlled layups.  When Florida State started to shadow Angel and throw extra bodies at him, he slashed and found the open man, as evidenced by his five assists. While he didn't connect on any of his three point attempts, Jim Larranaga will take his 8 of 14 shooting performance any day of the week.  This team can compete with anyone when Angel is under control, yet explosive.  The question is whether Angel can build upon this dazzling performance. 

Poise Under Pressure--Xavier Rathan-Mayes was making shots that were impossible in a game of NBA Jam, yet the 'Canes didn't fall apart.  Following every made shot, Miami calmly inbounded the basketball, forced the 'Noles to foul and then stepped to the line and calmly made free throws.The 'Canes connected on 81.6% of their free throws, which is an amazing statistic.  Miami has struggled to slam the door on opponents this season, that wasn't the case tonight. The 'Canes forced FSU to throw up prayer after prayer, thanks to timely free throw shooting and not turning the ball over following made shots.  Miami also played strong defense down the stretch, nearly every single Rathan-Mayes shot was strongly contested. 

Bring Your Squeegee--FSU has a ton of bigs who dominate the glass. Somehow, the 'Canes outrebounded the larger 'Noles by fourteen, and limited them to only four offensive rebounds.  For a team that struggles to score, not getting easy putbacks is a death knell for FSU.  They can't win if they are forced to shoot a ton of jumpers, because they can't depend on Rathan-Mayes to catch fire every night.  Miami limited FSU, and did it as a team for one of the few times in recent memory.  Tonye Jekiri snagged eleven boards, Davon Reed had eight, and five other players grabbed at least one rebound.  The 'Canes, if they are to compete against UNC and Pitt have to find a way to be a factor on the glass.  This team will have to crash the boards as a team. 

Basketball Nerds--Miami's basketball I.Q. was very high Wednesday night.  Minus a couple of boneheaded fouls, the 'Canes didn't make the mistakes they usually make, and in fact played very well with a large lead.  Players passed up the first open shot in order to get a better shot, made the extra pass, and got to the rim.  Whenever a team shoots 47.9% from the field, they most likely got there by taking a ton of high percentage shots, which Miami did. The 'Canes also showed outstanding intelligence on the defensive end when they sped up the 'Noles, knowing full well that Leonard Hamilton's team isn't athletic enough to win a track meet.  The antidote to Ham Ball is fast paced, uptempo basketball that forces Ham's unathletic bigs to chase after quicker players. 

Quick Shots: Wake Forest

Joe Thomas(2) misses a rebound(Photo Credit: Miami Herald)

Written By: Nathan Skinner(@Canedude08)
                  Canes Rising Contributor


Winning conference games on the road is never easy, and the 'Canes learned that the hard way tonight, as they fought Wake Forest to the final buzzer.  Miami couldn't overcome a torrid shooting performance from the Demon Deacons, falling 72-70 in Winston-Salem.  This loss may knock Miami off of the bubble, but all is not lost.  The game featured an impressive performance by Davon Reed, and the reemergence of Angel Rodriguez. 


Quick Shots

Struggle Watch 2015--If Angel can string together more performances like this, Struggle Watch may go the way of the dodo. Rodriguez didn't light it up from the field, but he found a way to be an extremely valuable player, by getting to the free throw line.  Angel scored fifteen points, eight coming from the charity stripe. It should have been seventeen points, but he missed a game tying layup as time ran out.  Angel's decision making was improved, although he did commit some silly fouls, forcing him off the floor midway through the second half.  It's been a rough stretch for Rodriguez, but the light is visible at the end of the tunnel. 

Davon R33D-- Davon's jumper has become a deadly weapon.  Reed once again led the 'Canes in scoring, slashing his way to seventeen points.  His offensive game has developed faster than anticipated and he's the one player the 'Canes can go to late in the shot clock, who can consistently make something happen.  It's obvious that Reed is a now a player to be reckoned with and he should be allowed to flourish.  Miami hasn't had a long, athletic guard who can score from anywhere in quite some time. 

Where's the D?--In the first half, Wake couldn't miss from outside the arc, at one point connecting on over 70% of their attempts. The 'Deacs finished the first half shooting 61% from deep, an impressive number and certainly the best they've managed in a half all season. While the law of averages eventually showed itself in the second half, the damage had already been done.  The 'Canes allowed a team who was hot from the field to take open shots, leading to a significant lead for the Demon Deacons. While the 'Canes did an excellent job of running Wake off of the three in the second half,  the horrible defense in the first half was just too much to overcome.   When a game is as close as this one, it's the details that determine the winner.  Miami didn't pay attention to detail, and that lack of focus contributed to the defeat.

Missing: Tonye Jekiri &The Miami Bigs--I'm pretty sure Tonye's picture was on the side of some milk cartons, for he was nowhere to be found against Wake.  In one of his worst performances of the season, Tonye could only muster three rebounds, and six points.  He also fouled out late in the second half, putting the 'Canes at a disadvantage.  Tonye has to be smart when he's in foul trouble, and not get dinged for ticky-tac infractions.  Jekiri wasn't the only big disappointment, Omar Sherman and Ivan Cruz-Uceda didn't provide anything of note either.   Miami's bigs only scored thirteen points, and collected eight rebounds as a group.  That isn't nearly enough, especially since Wake Forest's bigs combined for thirty- three points.  Devin Thomas was able to get good looks at the basket all night, provided he didn't face the basket.  While Thomas is a talented player, he shouldn't be able to bulldoze Miami's front line. 

Quick Shots: Clemson

Ivan Cruz-Uceda(Photo Credit: University of Miami)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                 Canes Rising Contributor


It's been a rocky couple of weeks for Jim Larranaga's squad.  This team has lost games in every way possible, from squandering large leads, to being completely outplayed and outfought.  There's still doubt about this team, but tonight's 56-45 victory over Clemson is a step in the right direction. Clemson is a team that will be fortunate to make the NIT, but the 'Canes have struggled to beat less talented teams.


Quick Shots


Struggle Watch 2015--While Angel Rodriguez made some questionable decisions, he limited his mistakes and showed signs of understanding his role.  His 3/11 shooting performance belies the contribution Angel made.   He was active on the defensive end with three steals, and showed a willingness to create for teammates.  It has become obvious that Angel gets bored when the 'Canes are ahead, as evidenced by his inability to control the basketball when Miami got out to a fourteen point lead midway through the second half. Following a couple of turnovers, and a near benching, he turned it around, and helped the 'Canes slam the door on Clemson.  The struggle continues for Angel and there's no signs of it ending anytime soon.   That said, Rodriguez wasn't a detriment and that's something to build on as the 'Canes move into the easiest part of the conference schedule. 

Ivan Make Baskets--With Angel struggling, it's become difficult for the 'Canes to score. This inability to score has forced role players to step up and be offensive threats, tonight Ivan Cruz-Uceda filled that role.    While Cruz-Uceda only played eleven minutes, they were highly productive minutes as the junior forward scored ten points and snagged five key rebounds.  Cruz-Uceda, while not a program cornerstone, is a player that will develop into a valuable member of the rotation.  His ability to stretch the floor and shoot from the perimeter is a welcome addition, and his willingness to rebound is something that Jim Larranaga is always on the lookout for.

Tamed Tigers--Clemson isn't a team that will impress offensively, but they looked awful Sunday, as the 'Canes did an excellent job of limiting the Tigers.  Brad Brownell's team shot 32.8% from the field, including an awful 25% from deep.  Outside of some impressive post possessions, the Tigers struggled to create high percentage shots, nearly every shot was contested.  Once Miami stopped turning the ball over, and allowing Clemson to score in transition, it was all over, as the Tigers couldn't get the job done in the halfcourt.  A perfect example of this incompetence is the Tigers needing a quick bucket coming down the stretch and being unable to get an open shot.  They had to settle for a low percentage jumper with the shot clock nearing zero.  That's defense, and something that has been missing from the 'Canes during this rough stretch. 

Silent Assassin--If you watched the game tonight, would you believe that Sheldon McClellan scored a game high nineteen points?  It was an extremely efficient offensive performance, as McClellan shot 75% from the field, and connected on 60% of his attempts from beyond the arc.  This game was another example of Sheldon being the most efficient offensive player on the team, and further proof that his role on the team should be enlarged.  Sheldon's shots are usually outstanding opportunities and in most cases, extremely high percentage.  If Sheldon is able to take an additional 4-5 shots per game, the 'Canes will  benefit. 

Quick Shots: Louisville

Davon Reed(Photo Credit: USA Today)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                  Canes Rising Contributor


The 'Canes needed to steal a game in order to reestablish themselves as a bubble team.  That didn't happen on Tuesday as Miami fell 63-55 to the Louisville Cardinals.  The 'Cards are a very good team, and Miami fought valiantly, but close losses are still losses.   It's amazing to think that two weeks ago, Miami was considered a dark horse, a team that could turn heads in March. That seems like a very long time ago, with the 'Canes in the midst of a three game losing streak.


Quick Shots

Struggle Watch 2015--No breaking news to report, Angel Rodriguez is still doing everything in his power to drive Jim Larranaga insane.  A perfect illustration of what Angel is came with under two minutes remaining, with the 'Canes down four.  The 'Canes had the ball early in the shot chock, and Angel decided to take a contested twenty-eight foot jumper.  That shot ended all hopes of a Miami comeback.  That's the problem with Angel right now, he has no concept of what a good shot is, he tries to play hero every night.  Last week, an ESPN analyst tried to compare Angel to former 'Cane Shane Larkin.  They aren't similar in the least,  Shane understood what was expected of him, he had a high basketball IQ. Angel isn't a dumb player, he just does a lot of mind boggling things, at the worst possible time.  It's getting to the point that I shudder when #13 touches the ball, because I know the odds of something positive happening aren't favorable.  Most good players have one or two bad shooting nights per season, Angel is a 33% shooter on the season.  When a player is shooting that poorly, and refuses to shop shooting horrible shots, a change is needed.  Ja'Quan Newton and Manu Lecomte may not have the top end ability that Angel has,  but they aren't walking grease fires either.  We all hope that Angel can snap out of this, but Miami's season can't be allowed to go down the drain merely because Rodriguez wants to live out his Jack McClinton fantasies.

"Gunner" Reed--When did Davon Reed become a lights out shooter?  It's hard to pinpoint exactly, but Davon has become one of the better shooters on the team.  Tonight, he was on fire, connecting on five deep bombs, and scoring a team high nineteen points. He played within himself, taking excellent shots, shots that were in rhythm, and within the flow of the offensive set. All of his shots were perfect, with only one even coming close to touching rim.  Reed wasn't only the best offensive player Miami had, he was the best defensive player as well, disrupting passing lanes, forcing players to take contested jumpers.  The light has come on for Reed, a player who has struggled to find his niche.  There's few players in the ACC who can do the things that Davon can, and he's quietly become a valuable player.  With the struggles of Angel Rodriguez continuing, Reed should see more shots, he has the talent, and smarts to become the second scorer the 'Canes desperately need.

Where's "The General"?--Sheldon McClellan has been a non-factor the last week, only scoring a combined 25 points in the last three games.  That's a far cry from his fifteen point per game average, an average that leads the team. McClellan has to get involved in the offense, he hasn't been looking for his shot, he's been far too passive.  Sheldon isn't a pure shooter, he isn't a pure slasher either, he's an athletic hybrid who can create off of the dribble, but can also hit open shots when available.  It may be time to work Sheldon off of screens, create some one on one situations, and allow him to overpower the competition. Miami needs scoring help, and it doesn't help anyone when McClellan is a ghost. 

Who's going to Step Up?--No, that isn't a reference to the horrible dance movie, this is a legitimate question.  Besides Tonye Jekiri, and Davon Reed, there isn't anyone else on the roster one can count on.  Tonight, Manu Lecomte and Ja'Quan Newton were steady at the point, with Newton being a little wild at times.  Omar Sherman isn't the kind of player who can play major minutes right now, and Ivan Cruz-Uceda is still rusty, and isn't the most athletic big.  For this team to become consistent, there has to be more than two guys that can be counted on.  Over the next week, Miami needs 5 players that can fill a role every night.  Tonye provides interior defense and scoring, Davon is a demon on the defensive end, and can score when needed.  Those are the only two players who have filled their roles on a consistent basis.  Teams that don't have defined, consistent roles are rarely successful. 

Quick Shots: FSU

Davon Reed attempts to make a pass(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Written By: Nathan Skinner(@Canedude08)
                  Canes Rising Contributor


What a difference a week makes.  Last Sunday, Miami was coming off of two impressive wins over likely NCAA Tournament teams, and looked like a team ready to make a run. This week, the 'Canes dropped two games to teams that will be fortunate to make the NIT field, and look like an extremely inconsistent team who play down to their level of competition.  The latest loss, a disheartening 55-54 defeat to the Seminoles of Florida State, was beyond awful.  To squander a double digit second half lead is unacceptable, and something that has the potential to wreck what was once a promising campaign. 


Quick Shots

1. Runnin' 'Canes--Miami went on an impressive run in the first half, building a huge lead in the process.  FSU couldn't hold onto the basketball, turning the ball over eleven times in the first half alone.  The 'Canes were able to turn those turnovers into points. In the second half, the 'Canes weren't able to force turnovers, and when those points dried up, so did the 'Canes as they crumbled down the stretch. 

2. Charity Stripe Blues--In a close game, free throw shooting matters and the 'Canes were horrible from the line, shooting 54.5%.  Coming into the game, Miami was 3rd in the ACC in free throw percentage, the 'Canes didn't look the part today.  Angel Rodriguez missed all three of his attempts, including a crucial front end of a one and one.  If the 'Canes shoot anywhere near their season average, they leave Tallahassee with a victory.

3. Struggle Watch 2015--Angel Rodriguez continues to struggle from the field, going 3/11 and scoring a paltry 8 points.  While his struggles on the offensive end are well documented, his struggles on the defensive end have gone unnoticed.  Today, Rodriguez did a great job defensively, creating some steal opportunities, and being active throughout.  The problem is that Rodriguez is still taking horrible shots, and it's obvious that he doesn't have any confidence right now.  Manu Lecomte should be starting at point guard, with Rodriguez coming off the bench.  Angel is a very good player, but he needs a change right now.

4. Where's Deandre?--Remember when Deandre Burnett was the best player on the floor against Illinois? That was a long time ago, as the shoot first guard has struggled to find playing time lately.  Burnett didn't see the floor Sunday, he's only played in fourteen games this season, out of a possible twenty one.  Jim Larranaga hasn't stated that Burnett is injured, or suspended, so one has to wonder why he isn't seeing time.  The 'Canes are struggling to score, that's the one thing Burnett can do at a high level.  Yes, Burnett is a horrible defensive player,  but what he can contribute on the offensive end should override his issues on the defensive end.  He should be allowed to see time early in games. If he's hot, play him, if he's struggling, pull him.  This team can't afford to leave scorers on the bench, especially an explosive athlete like Burnett.

5. Offensive Offense--The final possession of the game was a culmination of a half of horrible offensive basketball.  Leonard Hamilton forced Miami to play good halfcourt basketball in the second half, by switching to a matchup zone.  Miami couldn't make the passes needed to beat the zone, which allowed FSU, a putrid offensive team to chip away at Miami's huge lead.  Leonard Hamilton has always been a very good tactical coach, and this game was right in his wheelhouse.  This game went from a fast paced track meet, to a grindfest. That's exactly what FSU needed, and Miami was unable to function in that kind of game. 

Quick Shots: Georgia Tech

It was a rough night for Jim Larranaga(Photo Credit: USA Today)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                 Canes Rising Contributor


If you had to pick one word to describe the 2014 'Canes, it would be INCONSISTENCY.  The same team that crushed Duke at Cameron Indoor, beat Syracuse at the Carrier Dome lost to Georgia Tech Wednesday night. The same Georgia Tech that only scored twenty - eight points against Virginia, the same team that hadn't won an ACC  game all season.  Yes, that Georgia Tech came into the BankUnited Center and dominated the 23rd ranked 'Canes.  This loss is a major setback for a team struggling to move off of the NCAA selection bubble.  


Quick Shots

1. The struggle is real--While tonight's loss was a team effort, one effort(or lack thereof) stood out, and it wasn't a good look.  In his post game remarks, Jim Larranaga could only shake his head when asked about struggling point guard Angel Rodriguez.  Angel didn't lose this game by himself, but he didn't do much to help the team win.  Scorers have bad games,  this was worse than a scorer having a lid on the basket.  Rodriguez turned the ball over at will, made horrible decisions, and was a non factor on the defensively.  Miami can't win if Rodriguez isn't on the stat sheet, and that's exactly what happened Wednesday. Larranaga remarked that he thought Rodriguez was ready, apparently he was dead wrong.

2. Where's the "D"--Georgia Tech is one of the worst offensive teams in the country.  The Yellow Jackets are ranked 288th in the country in field goal percentage, 276th in points per game, and 264th in assists per game.  Those stats didn't mean much, as they had a field day with Miami's defense.  Brian Gregory's team shot an outstanding 56.8% from the field. They did most of their damage from inside, as they only connected on two shots from beyond the arc.   This wasn't a case of Jim Larranaga not putting the team in position to win, Georgia Tech couldn't buy a bucket once the 'Canes went to a 2-3 zone.  The problem was that thanks to Miami's live ball turnovers, the Yellow Jackets could score in transition, and even the worst offensive team ever isn't going to miss layups and dunks.  The effort tonight was beyond abysmal, and is a common thread in Miami's losses.  It's a troubling sign, and  has to be corrected, because this team isn't good enough to play mediocre defense, and get away with it.

3. Home Sweet Hell--What, beyond horrible defensive effort is a common thread in all of Miami's bad losses? All of the losses took place inside the friendly confines of the BankUnited Center.  This team has a lot of young players, players who should be better at home.  Those players aren't, they are significantly worse when on their home floor.   Why? Could it be that the BUC rarely has energy? Could it be that opponents know that the crowd is a late arriving, early departing one, and enters the game relaxed as a result? Whatever the reason may be, something is amiss.  That said, fans and venues don't win games, players do.  A fan can't make plays for Angel Rodriguez, a fan can't make defensive stops.

4. Feed the Big Fella--Tonye Jekiri has arrived, and it is time he saw increased touches. The big man was one rebound away from another double-double Wednesday, which he may have gotten had he played more than twenty eight minutes. Tonye had some impressive low post scoring plays tonight, and in a rare occurence, was also calling for the ball.  The junior center has emerged as the most consistent player on the team, and he should be allowed to do more than score on broken plays, and rebounds.  Miami's offense has become stagnant far too often, Jekiri has shown the ability to get high percentage shots in the post.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Syracuse

Tonye Jekiri(23) was just too strong for the Syracuse Orange(Photo Credit: University of Miami)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                  Canes Rising Contributor



It wasn't pretty, it was infuriating to watch at times, but the 'Canes left the Carrier Dome victorious.  This isn't the best Syracuse team to ever take the court, but they are a likely bubble team and Miami's 66-62 victory will look good on Selection Sunday.  If one had to define this week in one phrase, it would be "Mission Accomplished" as the 'Canes defeated two teams that are expected to challenge Miami for one of the last spots in the NCAA Tournament. 

The Good

Tonye Jekiri--The big fella took advantage of Syracuse's patented 2-3 zone, on the way to another double double, scoring thirteen points, and collecting fifteen rebounds.  Tonye was more than a human squeegee, he played solid defense against Rakeem Christmas, a future NBA player.  Jekiri didn't force the action, he took advantage of the opportunities that were available.  He has quietly become one of the most improved players in the ACC. 

Davon Reed--If you haven't been paying attention, this young man can play.  Once again, Davon did a great job of taking a good offensive player out of the game, as he forced Trevor Cooney to settle for contested shots.  Cooney did connect on some of those shots, but it wasn't an easy night for the sharpshooting guard.  Reed did more than handcuff Cooney, he was an efficient offensive player, scoring eleven points on 80% shooting.  The most impressive part of this performance was Davon's perimeter game, something that has been very inconsistent during his short career.  Reed connected on three of his four attempts from the land of three, with most of them barely striking iron. It has been a pleasure to watch this young man blossom under Jim Larranaga's tutelage. 


The Bad

Angel Rodriguez--Fortunately, Angel is a  pesky defensive player, otherwise there wouldn't be any  reason to play him at this point.  Rodriguez continues to struggle with his shot selection, hoisting up numerous prayers on Saturday.  It's not that Angel can't differentiate between a good shot and a bad one(he obviously can't), it's that his horrible shots end Miami runs.  Whenever the 'Canes start to roll, he will take an awful shot which inevitably leads to points for the opposition.  That happened on numerous occasions Saturday, as Syracuse turned  horrible shots into easy points, points that allowed the Orange to stop the bleeding, and mount a comeback.  Angel has to get this out of his system, if the 'Canes are going to be a factor in March. 

Offensive Flow--When Miami is at their best, the ball moves freely and without delay.  On Saturday, fans were treated to an offense that was inconsistent, and involved far too much isolation.  Jim Boheim's zone isn't an easy defense to beat, but the keys to doing so are well known.  Isolating Angel Rodriguez isn't one of those keys, in fact it plays right into Cuse's hands.  It's safe to say that opposing teams will look at film from this game, and seek to recreate 'Cuse's zone.  The 'Canes have to do a better job of executing, and moving the basketball around. 

The Ugly

Free Throw Shooting--In a Canes Rising first, Miami's free throw shooting wasn't the problem, it was the Orange who were awful from the charity stripe.  Rarely does a team shoot under 50% from the line, the Orange were the exception to that rule, shooting a horrific 42%.  Fortunately for the 'Canes, 'Cuse couldn't connect, but it was awful to witness.

Differing Styles--In the first half, Miami and Syracuse were allowed to play tough, physical basketball, with a minimum of stoppages.  After the intermission, the game was totally different, what wasn't considered a foul in the first half was now a foul. It looked like a completely different crew was working the game, when in reality, it was the same officials.  There's few things worse than inconsistent officials, and while Miami was able to overcome the drastic change, it's still a noteworthy event. 

Quick Shots: Notre Dame

Angel Rodriguez(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                  Canes Rising Contributor


So close, yet so incredibly far.  Miami had a double digit lead in the second half, but horrible perimeter defense, and an inability to stop Jerian Grant led to a disheartening 75-70 defeat. A win over Notre Dame was there for the taking, but the 'Canes couldn't get crucial stops late.


Quick Shots

Ja'Quan Newton--This was a breakout performance for the young guard.  Newton was efficient, shooting 66% from the field, and in control as evidenced by his five assists.  Throughout the season, Newton has been unable to harness his outstanding athletic ability, leading him to appear out of control.  That wasn't the case on Saturday, as Ja'Quan was in complete control.

Miami Offense--This loss wasn't because Miami couldn't score.  Miami shot 49% from the field, which is even more impressive because the 'Canes weren't lighting it up from deep.  Ball movement was outstanding for most of the game, and the 'Canes were able to consistently take high percentage shots.  While Notre Dame's lack of a shot blocker contributed to Miami's success, the majority of the credit should go to the 'Canes. 

Angel Rodriguez--Angel is an extremely streaky player, there's no doubt about it.  Rodriguez can shoot the 'Canes in and out of games, and on Saturday it was the latter.  Angel was 1/10 from the field, with most of his shots not standing much of a chance. While Angel continued to battle on the defensive end, it wasn't enough to overcome his awful offensive performance. The 'Canes can't win without Angel Rodriguez.

Perimeter Defense--Notre Dame made the same number of threes as Miami, but they took fewer shots to get there, a scathing indictment of Miami's perimeter defense.  On most of their attempts, Notre Dame players didn't have to worry about a Miami defender, for there wasn't a defender anywhere near them.  This is unacceptable, and is something that directly led to Miami frittering away a double digit lead.  Eventually, Notre Dame was going to connect, especially if they were allowed to shoot uncontested shots.

Jerian Grant--Miami had no answer for Grant as he ripped through the 'Canes for a game high 23 points.  Grant was able to get to his preferred spots on the court, and he made the most of his opportunities.  The most infuriating part of Grant's game was that even when the 'Canes were able to successfully defend him, he was able to make a low percentage shot.  Sometimes, a player is just too much, and on Saturday, Grant was too much for the 'Canes. 

Quick Shots: Duke

Ja'Quan Newton throws down(Photo Credit: University of Miami/@CanesHoops)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                  Canes Rising Contributor



Every potential bubble team needs a signature win, and Miami got theirs Wednesday night, defeating Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.  The 'Canes took control in the second half, relying on timely perimeter shooting and a strong defensive effort to pull away from the fourth ranked Blue Devils.   It's was obvious from the opening tip that Miami was the more athletic team, and that impression lasted the entire night. 


Quick Shots

Miami Guards--Coming into the game, it was noted that Duke's guards lacked the athleticism to match up with their Miami counterparts.  That was an understatement as Angel Rodriguez and Manu Lecomte DOMINATED the Blue Devils.  Angel and Manu combined for 47 points, with Rodriguez scoring a team high 24.  Manu hasn't shot this well in weeks, and he was a pest on the defensive end as well.  While Manu and Angel were the headliners, 'Quan Newton had the play of the night as he finished a monster dunk to set up a potential three point play.  This is the best this unit has played all season.

Free Throw Shooting--If you would have told any Miami fan that the 'Canes would shoot over 70% from the free throw line in Cameron Indoor, they would have told you to "Just Say No".  For the first time in a long time, the 'Canes won the free throw battle, and those points proved to be the difference.  While the 'Canes were stepping to the line and calmly making free throws, Duke was struggling, shooting 50% from the charity stripe.  In a previous column, I mentioned that Miami would need to close out games from the line, and it came true Tuesday night.  Miami only missed one free throw down the stretch, that's how you shut the door on an opponent. 

Tonye Jekiri--While it wasn't a spectacular double-double, it was one nonetheless and Tonye stood toe to toe with the likely first overall pick in the NBA draft.  Jahlil Okafor was held below his season average, and he looked off kilter all night thanks to Jekiri's physical defense.  While Okafor was still  an impact player, Tonye offset that impact by being a threat himself.  The one thing that Tonye has to work on is being assertive, he sometimes passes up high percentage shots.

Bombs Away--Remember when Miami couldn't hit water falling out of a boat? Seems like a long time ago, but in reality, it was a couple of weeks ago.  To think that the same team that couldn't buy a bucket could march into Cameron Indoor and shoot 50% from three, it's baffling.   It wasn't that Miami connected on attempts, it was that the attempts were usually good looks.   Players found open shooters, especially after Duke extended their defense in the second half. This team can be scary good,  if the perimeter shots are falling. 

Team Defense--It was known that Miami would have to double Jahlil Okafor, the major concern was whether the 'Canes would be able to rotate when Okafor passed to open shooters.  That concern was misplaced, because Miami was extremely active and didn't allow Duke to take open shots.  Davon Reed was crucial in this area, as he once again proved that he is the best perimeter defender on the team.  Miami ran Duke off of the three point line, and then collapsed when the Blue Devils attempted to drive, it was textbook defense and it was beautiful to watch. 

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Boston College

Tonye Jekiri(23) grabs a rebound against Boston College (Photo Credit: SunSentinel.com)

Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
                  Canes Rising Contributor


It was closer that it should have been, but Miami got an important conference win.  Boston College is a team that will finish near the bottom of the ACC, but they fought Miami until the final moments, falling 60-56. While the win was an important one, much work remains to be done before Tuesday's tilt at Cameron Indoor.

The Good

Tonye Jekiri--Boston College has significant size, but Tonye stood out amongst the trees.  He was assertive early, gaining position in the post and dominating the glass.  It was another double double for the big man, as he scored thirteen points, and snagged an amazing fifteen rebounds.  What was truly impressive about Tonye's performance was his defensive effort.  He played great defense without fouling, something that has been an issue for him in the past.

Angel Rodriguez--Angel will never be the shooter Jack McClinton was, but Angel is outstanding at what he does well.  Rodriguez was able to get to the rim at will, and he used a couple of those drives to find open teammates.  While shot selection is still an issue for Angel, he still scored a team high seventeen points.

The Bad

Offensive Flow--It's obvious that Miami has a ton of athletes who can create off of the dribble.  The problem is that the offense degenerates into isolation basketball, which makes it far easier to defend the 'Canes.  The inability of Miami to put together consistent offensive sets allowed Boston College to crawl back in the game.  It's on Angel Rodriguez and Manu Lecomte to make sure that the offense is flowing. 

Perimeter Defense--Apparently, Miami didn't get the memo about Olivier Hanlan being one of the best guards in the ACC.  Hanlan scored an easy 19 points, most of it coming on open shots.  BC is a one man team,  and Miami found a way to lose that one man.  A lot of those shots came from Hanlan working screens, Miami was unable to fight through and maintain contact with the shooter. 

The Ugly

Free Throw Shooting--Another game, another example of mediocre free throw shooting.  While Miami shot 64% from the line, it was the missed opportunities that stand out.  The inability of Miami to consistently make the front ends of one and ones is troubling.  Teams that are able to close out games from the free throw line are the ones who find their way into the NCAA Tournament.  Unless there's a major change,  Miami may end up being a team that shoots themselves out of the bracket.

Perimeter Shooting--While the percentage wasn't as horrifying as previous efforts, the shot selection was disconcerting.  Miami fell in love with the outside shot early, despite having Tonye Jekiri established in the middle.  It's rare that Jekiri is assertive in the post, and he should be rewarded when he is.  Deandre Burnett has to understand that he can pass the ball as well as shoot it, he doesn't to hoist a shot whenever the ball comes to him. 

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Virginia Edition

Omar Sherman(Photo Credit: University of Miami)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                    Canes Rising Contributor



This was a game that was ripe for the taking.  Miami entered the game against Virginia a decided underdog, so expectations were low. Miami stormed back after falling behind early and had the third ranked Virginia Cavaliers on the ropes, ready to fall.  The 'Canes couldn't throw the crucial punch, falling in double overtime, 89-80. While this is a tough loss to bear,  this loss showed what this team can and should be from this point forward.  If this team can build off of this performance, a solid conference record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament awaits.


The Good

Omar Sherman--Miami has been looking for a stretch power forward since the graduation of Kenny Kadji.  It remains to be seen if Sherman can be the consistent star that Kadji was, but he is starting to emerge.  Omar had his best performance as a 'Cane Saturday, scoring thirteen points, with most of his damage coming from deep.  Sherman shot the ball with confidence and in rhythm, something that has been an issue for him at times this season.  Omar also did a good job being a big body on the defensive end, against Virginia's talented bigs.  Sherman made some freshman mistakes, he's still not a superstar, but the growth is there to be seen.  Miami may have something special with this young man.

Angel Rodriguez--At times, Rodriguez looked like the best player on the floor, especially when his perimeter game was working.  Angel was everywhere Saturday, scoring a team high twenty five points, and dishing out seven assists.  Rodriguez took over the game in the second half, he was able to get to the rim at will, and that led to some easy baskets.  Angel was able to finish at the rim on multiple occasions, thanks to his amazing body control while in the air. When he was fouled, and sent to the line, he made free throws including the crucial three  that forced overtime.   When Virginia started to hedge and double Angel in a desperate attempt to limit his effectiveness,  he created opportunities for teammates.  Tonye Jekiri was the primary beneficiary, as he was left open for a couple of key layups. While Rodriguez was outstanding, he did make a couple of mistakes, none bigger than his horrible time management late in the first overtime period.  Angel has to know the time and situation, and play accordingly.  A timeout wasn't going to happen, due to Virginia's defensive talent, and the fact that allowing the Cavaliers to set their defense would have lowered the probability of a successful possession.  The fact that Miami didn't get a shot off, was unacceptable, and unfortunately that's on Angel.  That said, Angel was a big reason why this team was in position to win, and as he goes, the team goes.

The Bad

Rebounding--Virginia is a long, athletic team who thrives on the glass.  Miami doesn't have the size of the Cavaliers, but there's no excuse for what happened Saturday.  The 'Canes failed to box out on free throws, leading the Cavaliers to gain additional possessions late in the game.  When facing a superior team, little things matter, and not boxing out on free throws is a killer. That's not a talent problem, that's an effort and communication problem.  Tonye Jekiri has to take an active role in explaining to the younger players, especially Omar Sherman the importance of boxing out, and marking free throw shooters in crucial situations.

Perimeter Defense--While the overall numbers may not  show it, Virginia had an otherworldly shooting performance in the first half.  A lot of that had to do with Miami being unable to successfully close out on Cavalier shooters.  This game turned when the Cavaliers were able to build a huge lead in the first half. Virginia was able to build such a huge lead because of the many open shots given up by the Hurricanes.  Miami expended a ton of energy merely getting back into the game, and may have lacked the energy needed to overcome that early start. Virginia wouldn't have been able to build such a commanding lead, had Miami not been so lackadaisical on the defensive end.

The Ugly

Free Throw Shooting--It's not so much that Miami missed free throws, it was when those missed free throws happened.  Late in regulation, the 'Canes marched to the free throw line with a chance to not only tie, but to take command of the game, and couldn't get it done.  Missing the front end of one and ones, in a close game is a recipe for disaster because of the wasted opportunities.  Angel Rodriguez was the one bright spot from the charity stripe connecting on 10/12 free throws.  This game turned on free throws, with Miami being unable to take control of the game late in regulation.

Fan Behavior--Raise your hand if you've heard this comment before: Miami has some of the worst fans in sports.  Once again, fans found a way to take attention away from the action on the court, and put it squarely on themselves.  Early in the 1st half, and again in the 2nd, a fan held up signs disparaging embattled  football coach Al Golden, and asking for the return of former coach Butch Davis.  Remember, this is a nationally televised game, with the third ranked team in the country on the ropes.  Why didn't the fan just go over to the Miami bench and spit on the players and staff? It's not bad enough that Miami fans barely care about this program, a program that has been the best on campus the last couple of years, but they will do things like this in full view of the national media and potential recruits.  These young student-athletes are good men, they work hard on the court and in the classroom, and shouldn't take a backseat to anyone right now.  We're all disappointed about the performance of the football program, but to make the basketball program a sideshow is unacceptable. 

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Providence Edition

Tonye Jekiri was the lone force inside for the 'Canes(Photo Credit: USA Today)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                 Canes Rising Contributor


Miami entered Monday night desperate for a win, following a shocking loss to Eastern Kentucky.  That wasn't in the cards, as Providence dispatched Miami 76-62.  While this loss was frustrating and troubling, there were some positives that should provide hope.  Miami looked like a different team from the one that quit on Friday night.  While the shooting woes continue, Miami looks to be a team slowly emerging from the badlands.  


The Good

Angel Rodriguez--Over the course of the last month, Angel hasn't been himself.  He's been horrible defensively, unable to make shots, and a terrible decision maker.  On Monday, Angel showed some signs of life, especially on the defensive end.  Rodriguez was a madman, finishing the game with two steals, and constantly pestering ball handlers. Angel's shooting woes continued, but he found other ways to score.  He worked his way into the lane, he got to the free throw line.  Rodriguez hasn't performed this well in ages, it may be the performance that breaks the slump. 

Tonye Jekiri--Providence has outstanding size, and athleticism, and Tonye stood up to that and played a whale of a game.  Jekiri notched a double-double, scoring twelve points, and snagging ten rebounds.  Tonye was great at finishing around the rim, and he did an outstanding job of finishing when fouled, evidenced by his converting a couple of "and one" situations.  Where he was at his best was in the passing game, as he used his superior height and sight lines to make passes to open shooters.  While those shots were rarely converted, this is something that should be a frequent sight.  Jekiri is an outstanding passer, and he needs to be utilized as a distributor more often, especially against teams that employ a zone defense.

Effort--During the last three weeks the 'Canes have lacked desire.  Miami hasn't been willing to fight for loose balls, crash the boards, or play defense.  Tonight, that all changed as Miami fought hard all night.  Late in the game, with the outcome decided, Miami  found a way to create turnovers and scoring opportunities.  If Miami had shown this kind of grit against Eastern Kentucky or UW-Green Bay, those games would have ended differently. 

The Bad

Manu Lecomte--Miami has a lot of guards but few proven shooters.  Manu Lecomte is the only proven shooter on the roster, and he's struggling.  He had another horrible night, failing to connect on any of his field goal attempts.  His shots from deep were awful, an obvious sign of a shooter without confidence.  Lecomte spent most of the second half on the bench, which may be a long term solution.  Davon Reed is making a strong case for additional minutes, which may push the struggling Lecomte out of the starting lineup.

Joe Thomas/Omar Sherman--Coming into the season, it was known that Thomas was merely a big body that couldn't score against major college competition. However, he was expected to provide rebounding assistance and leadership.  So far, Thomas has been limited as expected, while also failing to deliver rebounds.  Sherman is a freshman doesn't understand his limitations. He cannot make a perimeter shot right now, and he cannot be trusted on the interior, due to his inability to finish at the rim.   Ivan Cruz-Uceda will be a welcome addition, because Sherman just isn't athletic enough right now to compete. Uceda will take Sherman's minutes, and that will lead to Miami being able to compete with bigger teams.  Tonye Jekiri can't man the paint alone, he needs help.   Unfortunately, Sherman is ineligible for a redshirt because it's obvious that he could have used a year of seasoning. 

The Ugly

Perimeter Shooting--I've watched basketball for almost twenty years, and I've never seen an entire team shoot this terribly for an extended period.  Most times, a team will have some shooters struggle, while others are on. That isn't the case in Miami as the entire team is ice cold from behind the arc.  It isn't that Miami is taking ill-advised shots, the 'Canes are taking very good shots, uncontested shots. Miami has to find a way to start making more of these shots, if this season is to get back on track. On Monday, The U shot 18.5% from beyond the arc, which is significantly below their season average.  Jim Larranaga's team doesn't have the bigs to manufacture points via a traditional halfcourt offense, so the 'Canes have to be able to shoot from the perimeter and then slash to the rim when teams look to close out on shooters.  If Miami can't make shots from the perimeter, the offense will remain stagnant. 

Transition Defense--Miami played solid halfcourt defense, but was awful in transition.  The 'Canes did an awful job of picking up cutting players, and stopping ball handlers.  Allowing teams to take easy, high percentage shots is something that can lead to disaster, especially if your offense is in a prolonged slump.   The solution to this problem is communication.  Players aren't identifying the ball handler or the cutters.  That has to change because Virginia, Louisville and Duke will run through Miami if they are given easy transition buckets.

This Week In Hurricane Hoops

Deandre Burnett(1) takes on Illinois(Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                Canes Rising Contributor


It was the best of times, and the worst of times for Miami basketball.  The 'Canes beat a ranked Illinois but was unable to bring the same level of intensity on Saturday, losing to UW-Green Bay.  The 'Canes struggled against the Phoenix, but that shouldn't take away from the Tuesday's impressive win.  

Player of the Week

Deandre Burnett--Burnett came to Miami with the reputation of a scorer, and has struggled to live up to that.  Some of that was due to injury, and some of that was due to Deandre not seeing sufficient playing time.  This week, Burnett finally emerged as a scoring threat.   Burnett scored 19 versus Illinois, and 21 against UW-Green Bay. He's not a guy who believes in sharing the basketball, but that will come with time. Deandre has to improve his shot selection, he tends to take 2-3 shots per game which are ill advised to say the least.   Burnett has to be able to score within the offense for him to be a viable long term option.

Best Individual Performance This Week

Deandre Burnett--Deandre looked like the best player on the floor at times Tuesday.  Illinois didn't have an answer for Burnett, who scored 19 points, and snagged 8 rebounds. The Illini couldn't find a player who was capable of staying in front of the young guard.  Burnett also was a force on the boards, and was active defensively. 

Best Team Performance

Illinois(Tuesday)--Beating a ranked team requires a complete effort, and the 'Canes provided that  Tuesday night.  The 'Canes overcame big Illini runs and kept finding ways to extend the lead. The game was in hand for a majority of the contest, with some tense moments coming down the stretch.

Worst Team Performance

UW-Green Bay(Saturday)--The Phoenix are a team that should win the Horizon League and make the NCAA tournament, but this performance was inexcusable. Miami looked flat, disinterested and couldn't buy a basket.  Angel Rodriguez was awful at times, shooting 13% from the field.  The 'Canes took far too many bad shots, and settled for shots early in the shot clock.  A turning point was late in the 2nd half, when Sheldon McClellan tried to draw a foul on a shot attempt instead of attempting to make the shot.  The foul wasn't called, and the Phoenix scored an easy basket in transition.   Defensively, the 'Canes looked nothing like the team that beat Illinois and Florida.  Miami failed to rebound, and didn't attempt to stop Keifer Sykes.  The only highlight was Davon Reed making his first appearance, and looking good in limited action.  Reed brought energy and was a force of the defensive end. 

The Week Ahead 

Monday vs. Savannah State
Savannah State is one of the worst teams in Division 1, there's no doubt about it.  The Tigers scored 26 against Louisville, and have been blown out in many of their games. This game should be over by the under eight timeout in the first half as Savannah State ranks near the bottom at the country in every major statistical category.