Final Grades: Miami Basketball (Bigs)

Tonye Jekiri attempts a shot(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


Tonye Jekiri

(8.6PPG/9.9RPG/1.4BPG)

Growth Opportunities--Tonye still doesn't finish around the rim as well as someone of his talent should, he needs to learn how to be aggressive around the rim.  The difference between Tonye scoring ten points per game, and scoring fifteen is a couple of failed point blank attempts.

Season Summary--Tonye Jekiri came into the season a player who was expected to be a big body that could occasionally feast on smaller opponents.  It's safe to say that everyone undersold the big man, as Tonye emerged as one of the most improved players in the ACC.  He led the conference in rebounding, improved in every major statistical category, and looks like a player with a future after he leaves Miami.  Jekiri's development is a tribute to Jim Larranaga and his staff, and he hasn't reached his full potential yet. Grade: B+

Omar Sherman

(4.8PPG/2.3RPG/30.4 3P%)

Growth Opportunities--Omar is a true freshman, who obviously never had to play defense at the high school level.  His defensive positioning, and inability to successfully box out opposing players limited his playing time.  His conditioning was spotty, and he lacks the low post moves that a player of his build should have.

Season Summary--Omar Sherman wasn't expected to be an immediate impact player, but he was a decent rotation player for Jim Larranaga.  Sherman can stretch opposing defenses with his perimeter shooting, and did show some low post skill late in the season.  He is a young player, but a player who can become a valuable offensive weapon.  Grade: C

Ivan Cruz-Uceda

(5.2PPG/3.5RPG/33.9 3P%)

Growth Opportunities--Cruz-Uceda doesn't rebound particularly well, and isn't anywhere near an ACC quality defender.  Some of that is due to inferior footwork and positioning, and some of it is due to a lack of athletic ability.  ICU also struggles in the low post, where he has a tendency to rely on a dizzying array of moves, most of which are poorly executed.  He also struggles to finish around the rim, due to his lack of vertical explosion.

Season Summary--ICU was forced to miss half of the season due to some issues with the NCAA, and that really hurt his development.  While we saw flashes of a player who could be a good offensive player, his lack of athletic ability limits his effectiveness.  Unlike Sherman, who is a freshman, and has plenty of time to improve, ICU is a junior who may be the odd man out when Kamari Murphy is eligible next season.  Grade: C-

Joe Thomas

(1.3PPG/2.1RPG/0.3APG)

Growth Opportunities--Joe is an explosive athlete who can finish around the rim, but his lack of polish in the offensive game limits him.  He also tends to be overly physical in the post, leading to a ton of fouls being called against him.

Season Summary--Joe Thomas was a bit player, but had some outstanding moments, especially during the NIT.  He started the season as a rebounder and spark plug, but once Ivan Cruz-Uceda was cleared to play, Thomas' playing time decreased dramatically.  He performed his role admirably, and served as a good example for younger players. Grade: C

Quick Shots: Stanford (NIT Edition)

Davon Reed(5) drives the lane(Photo Credit:Getty Images)

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


Throughout this season, Miami has faced and overcome adversity.  The NIT Final wasn't an exception, as the 'Canes were forced to play without talented center Tonye Jekiri, and starting point guard Angel Rodriguez.  Manu Lecomte gamely attempted to play tonight, but his knee injury proved to be too much to overcome.  The 'Canes, while valiant were unable to overcome losing two starters, a key reserve, and the referees, falling to the Stanford Cardinal 66-64.  Miami fought to the end, and put themselves in position to win, but couldn't overcome a crucial play late in overtime.

Quick Shots

Brutal Bigs--Going into the game, it was known that Miami was going to struggle inside, due to Tonye Jekiri not being available.  This was worse than imagined, the 'Canes completely folded inside, with both Ivan Cruz-Uceda and Omar Sherman being totally dominated by Stanford's front line.  While the bigs stepped up late and helped Miami get back in this game, it would have been nice had they been involved for the entire game.  Cruz-Uceda and Sherman combined for eleven points, and  eleven   rebounds.  That is barely replacement level for Jekiri, who averages nine points and ten rebounds per game. The one area ICU and Sherman were valuable was swatting shots, they combined for five blocks on the evening. Joe Thomas was a pleasant surprise, ending his collegiate career with a gritty performance, capped off with a Sportscenter Top Ten Play.

FINISH--The 'Canes started the game with some ill-advised perimeter jumpers.  Once Deandre Burnett checked in and started slashing to the rim, the rest of the team followed, and was able to get some outstanding looks.  The problem was that the 'Canes struggled to put those good looks down.  While finishing around the rim has been a problem all season, tonight was extremely frustrating.  This game was extremely close, leaving points on the floor was the last thing the 'Canes should have done. These players need to hit the weight room, and learn how to finish at the rim.  If the 'Canes are to take that next step, they will need to win close games.  Close games are won at the rim.

Salute The General--Sheldon McClellan didn't have one of his best shooting nights, going 5/16 from the floor, but he was there when the 'Canes needed someone to step up.  Late in the game, with Miami desperately attempting to draw even with the Cardinal, McClellan unleashed his inner Kobe Bryant, and carried this team to overtime.  Whenever Miami needed to answer Stanford, they turned to Sheldon, who used his athletic gifts to get to the rim, and to the free throw line. When he arrived at the charity stripe, he took full advantage, converting on six of his seven attempts. I've complained at times that McClellan isn't assertive enough, that wasn't the case tonight, Miami isolated him at the top of the key late, and every time, he made the right decision.  He didn't settle for jumpers, he drove the lane, and forced the Cardinal to stop him.  That's what elite players do, they force the opposition to defend them.

Rip Job--While the 'Canes didn't help themselves by leaving points on the floor, these referees did a good job of robbing Miami, and the fans who came out to see this game.  There's few things more frustrating than watching a referee decide a game, instead of the athletes on the court.  That's exactly what happened tonight, with Miami leading late in overtime.  Davon Reed played outstanding defense, and did everything right.  Stanford's Chasson Randle threw himself into Reed, while elbowing the defender in the throat. The referee who was closest to the play didn't call the foul, an official on the other side of the court felt the need to stop the action.  There's few games in which you can point to one play, and definitively state that was the turning point, tonight was one of those select instances.

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.