Quick Shots: Virginia Tech(ACC Tournament)

Deandre Burnett(1) attempts a layup(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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

It wasn't pretty, it wasn't fun to watch, but when you're on the bubble survival is the only thing that matters.  Miami defeated Virginia Tech 59-49, setting up a crucial quarterfinal game against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  If the 'Canes beat the Irish, it's highly likely that Miami will be on the right side of the bubble.  If not, the 'Canes may be one of the first four teams left out of the field. 

Quick Shots

Sloppy 'Canes--This didn't look like a team that understood the gravity of the situation they were in.  This team is playing for a berth in the tournament, and they came out looking disinterested.  Virginia Tech only won two ACC games in the regular season, but that wasn't due to a lack of effort.  Buzz Williams is a good coach, and his teams always play hard, and it's on the opposition to match that intensity.  The 'Canes didn't match, and struggled to stay ahead of the pesky, determined Hokies. The lack of effort was evident on the defensive end, as Miami allowed a team that doesn't score to get some outstanding looks, looks that only a lazy team would allow.  Christian Beyer isn't a big player, nor is he overly talented, but that that didn't stop him from taking advantage of Miami's lousy defensive effort, scoring nine points in his final game.   Notre Dame's bigs are eons better than Beyer, and will score in bunches if Miami chooses not to defend the paint. 

Can't Buy a Bucket--Miami was unable to match Saturday's outstanding performance, shooting 35.7% from deep.  That's a drastic drop from the 60% the 'Canes shot on Saturday in Blacksburg.  It wasn't much better on the interior, as the 'Canes struggled to finish at the rim.  The Hokies weren't able to challenge most shots due to their lack of interior size, this was a case of Miami blowing layups. This is a very troubling sign, and proof that the 'Canes weren't focused on the job at hand. Virginia Tech needed some help in order to make this game competitive, and Miami's inability to score was all the help the Hokies needed.

Offensive Offense--There are pickup games at the Wellness Center that are more entertaining than the game Miami participated in Wednesday night.  Why was this game so incredibly boring? It was boring because the 'Canes were dreadful offensively.   This wasn't the team that dominated the Hokies in two previous meetings.  Defeating a team three times in a season is tough, but this wasn't a case of the Hokies playing outstanding defense, this was a case of Miami not executing.  It didn't matter who was manning the point, the 'Canes were an isolation team, ball movement was a theoretical concept. Angel Rodriguez, in his first game action since the win over FSU was the best option for the 'Canes tonight, Ja'Quan Newton and Manu Lecomte both struggled mightily.  If this is the level of effort we're going to see, Blake James might as well order the NIT banner now, because Notre Dame will feast on a one dimensional team.  The 'Canes are at their best when the ball is moving around, and players are getting free via screens and quick cuts to the basket.  Miami isn't as good when they are playing isolation basketball, and relying on one player to create off of the dribble. 

Follow The General--Sheldon McClellan once again led the 'Canes scoring a game high sixteen points. Whenever Miami needs a big shot, Sheldon is there to deliver, such as his crucial three late in the second half.  That shot stopped Tech's momentum, and allowed Miami to put together a mini-run that, in essence put the game out of reach.  McClellan also did well on the defensive end, swatting a big block late in the first half.  It's mind boggling that Sheldon was named All-ACC Honorable Mention, he has better stats than some of the other shooting guards listed ahead of him.  He continues to be the most consistent player on the roster, and as he goes, so will the 'Canes. 

Quick Shots: Virginia Tech (Round II)

Manu Lecomte(Photo Credit: University of Miami)

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


Miami has struggled to beat inferior teams this season, a major reason why the 'Canes are on the bubble.  That wasn't a concern Saturday, as the 'Canes crushed the Hokies of Virginia Tech, 82-61.  The game was never in doubt as Miami totally dominated Buzz Williams' Hokies. The 'Canes are still on the bubble, but are now in position to clinch an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament with a couple of wins at the ACC Tournament in Greensboro. 

Quick Shots

Cruzing--Ivan Cruz-Uceda had his best game of the season on Saturday, scoring a career high eighteen points and knocking in three perimeter bombs. It was an efficient performance as Cruz-Uceda scored on the perimeter and in the paint, most of his attempts were lightly contested.   He's a liability on the defensive end, but showed some skill on the offensive end.   Uceda is a skilled player who gives Jim Larranaga a stretch four who can occasionally make something happen in the post.  This was his best game as a 'Cane, and while it was against a bad Virginia Tech team, it gives fans a glimpse of what Uceda can be, provided he continues to develop. 

Shooting Stars--The 'Canes put on a show from the perimeter, shooting an impressive 60% from beyond the arc. Most of the shots were open, a tribute to outstanding ball movement, and a firm understanding of offensive concepts.  Where has this been all season? It was beautiful to watch, especially in the first half as the 'Canes poured in shots from everywhere.  Five 'Canes had a made three pointer, including Manu Lecomte and James Palmer, who shared the team lead with five made threes.  This was one of the best shooting performances in school history

Blazin' Manu--Manu couldn't miss against Virginia Tech, going 5/7 from deep, and scoring a team high twenty points.  Lecomte has been inconsistent this season, struggling against large, physical guards due to his lack of size and inability to play through contact.  Virginia Tech doesn't have the players to challenge Lecomte, and it showed, as he was able to get the shots he wanted all afternoon.  Manu was able to get to rim once the Hokies started forcing the action, and finished with a couple of impressive layups.   It's been a rough season for Manu, but he stuck with it and is finally looking like the player who carried the 'Canes at the end of last season.

Stayin' Alive--Miami had to beat Virginia Tech, and Pitt in order to have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament, that mission was accomplished.  This team may be coming together at the right time, especially when you notice how well this team has played since Angel Rodriguez's injury.  The offense looks totally different, ball rotation isn't a theoretical concept and open shots are easier to come by.  While the lack of offensive efficiency wasn't solely Angel's fault, it's odd to see a team raise their level of play without the services of their unquestioned leader.  Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald reports that Angel may be able to play in the ACC Tournament, and if true Jim Larranaga will have a tough decision to make.

Quick Shots: Virginia Tech

Sheldon McClellan bedeviled VTech all night long(Photo Credit: USA Today)

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


For the first time in a long time, Miami easily defeated a lesser team.  While Wednesday's 76-52 victory over Virginia Tech isn't a season highlight, it's a welcome change from previous performances, where the 'Canes struggled to defeat the dregs of the ACC.  This victory gives Jim Larranaga's team sorely needed momentum, something they will need on Saturday. 

Quick Shots

Tonye Jekiri--The big fella dominated the Hokies, scoring fifteen points and grabbing fifteen rebounds.  Virginia Tech didn't have an answer for Tonye, who played one of his better games of the late.  He played in control, he finished around the rim, and defended without fouling.  Miami is going to need Tonye to finish the season strong, if the 'Canes are to be on the right side of the bubble. 
  
Sheldon McBuckets--Once again, Sheldon found a way to score a ton of points, and do it in the most efficient way possible. McClellan shot 70% from the field and scored 21 points.  He connected from everywhere, including twice from deep.  To watch a player score at will and do it with little effort is beautiful, and troubling at the same time.  Troubling because McClellan isn't getting nearly enough touches, he goes long stretches without scoring, or touching the ball.  Sheldon can be a twenty point per game scorer, especially if he is allowed to shoot more than ten times a night. 

Miami Defense--The 'Canes have struggled to stop teams that are offensively challenged.  A lot of that can be attributed to poor effort on the defensive end and an inability to consistently stay in front of ballhandlers. That wasn't the case Wednesday, as the 'Canes stopped the 'Hokies and forced them into a variety of awful shots.  Some of the shots did fall, but eventually the law of averages kicked in, and the 'Canes were able to keep the Hokies off of the scoreboard.  Virginia Tech shot 35% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc, that's a drastic drop from previous games. If Miami can bring this kind of defensive effort on a consistent basis, this team will be formidable in the future.

Referees--This game didn't turn on the call of an official, but this crew did an awful job of managing the game.  Jim Larranaga picked up a technical foul when he threw his blazer in disgust following a prolonged stoppage.  Hokies coach Buzz Williams also drew a technical, his for arguing with officials.  Both coaches had reason to be upset as the officials had zero idea what was going on, and seemed to be scared to take control of the game.  Fortunately, this game wasn't close, because it's obvious that these zebras may have found a way to turn this game. 

Angel Rodriguez--It's time to retire Struggle Watch, because minus a bad thirty second stretch, Angel played an outstanding game.  He did everything a point guard was supposed to do and he was still able to score.  While he continues to struggle from the perimeter, Angel has finally started pressing his speed advantage, slashing to the rack on numerous occasions.  His defensive effort was outstanding, he was a bulldog on Hokie guards, harassing them into turnovers and errant passes.  This season hasn't been the season Rodriguez expected, but there's still time left for him to finish the regular season with a flourish and lead this team to the postseason.