Canes fail test without Jack

By Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

I have little doubt that with the way Miami played against Ohio State in the first half last night, the Canes would have won the game had Jack McClinton not been ejected from the game. In fact the game probably would have been a rout. But what was supposed to be different about this year's Miami team was that the Canes had other options on the floor to make big shots other Jack McClinton, who is of course all everything (including academically). But after McClinton's ejection and the lift the team got from the crowd, Miami looked like a discombobulated bunch who didn't belong on a big time stage.

As well as Frank Haith has recruited and as good as some guys look when Jack McClinton is drawing double teams, Miami proved last night that it cannot win on the big stage without McClinton. Few recall that last season Miami struggled to beat Morgan State and Alabama State when McClinton was hurt. I attended both games and witnessed a similarly confused and out of sorts group of players in those games. Complicating matters further is that the hero of that Morgan State game, Eddie Rios has now been suspended indefinitely and was not available last night to replace McClinton when he was ejected.

James Dews is supposed to be the second option for the Canes on the perimeter. But in the game where Miami needed him the most he disappeared. What's worse is that Dews poor offensive performance affected his defense as he was the weak link allowing Ohio State to drain three pointer after three pointer late.

Without a zone buster like McClinton in the lineup and with Dews taking the night off, Miami could not break the Buckeyes zone late and get the ball inside to Dwayne Collins. Forced to rely on outside shots without McClinton meant the Canes went cold and lost a huge lead in the second half.

DeQuan Jones gave Miami a bit of a lift off the bench in the second half. Jones, a top 25 national recruit from Georgia had shown little positive until this game. Yet Jones got into foul trouble and was not available when Miami needed someone to spell Dews or Brian Asbury late.

One positive from last night: Cyrus McGown, the Arkansas transfer appears to be a major upgrade over Anthony King at center. I do not know why McGowan, a previous four star recruit did not work out with Stan Heath at Arkansas. Whatever the case, McGowan appears to be the type of athletic big man, Miami has lacked to go up against similarly athletic post players in the ACC.

Other than McGowan, however Miami failed its test. Another year of relying on Jack McClinton is not so bad when you consider he is after all Jack McClinton. But if ever forced to play without him, the evidence is clear Miami cannot cut it. Despite all the bluster about recruiting and incoming transfers and potential signees, Miami as a program is still not where it needs to be. Great programs find a way to win even when its signature player is unavailable. Miami failed its test last night.