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| 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.
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