Getting to Know The Miami Hurricanes

TV: ACC Network | Time: 3 PM | PNC Arena

Miami’s last time out.

Florida State beat Miami at home 75-57 in their last game. The Hurricanes held a 34-31 lead heading into halftime; however, FSU opened the second half with a 16-2 run and never looked back. The Canes shot just 2-11 from the three-point line and did not have success on the interior because of Florida State’s size. Coach Larranaga lamented that his team missed open looks from the perimeter while FSU was the opposite as they shot 39% from the arc. Freshman Bruce Brown paced the Hurricanes scoring 17 points by getting to the free-throw line. Brown was 9-11 from the charity stripe.

Miami beat NC State 81-63 in the ACC opener.

NC State was outplayed by Miami as Ja’Quan Newton and Davon Reed scored 21 and 20 points respectively. The Wolfpack did not execute aginst Miami’s stout defense as they took Dennis Smith out of his comfort zone. Dennis did manage to score 21 points but had to work to find his looks as Miami took away the paint. The Pack only had two players in double figures shooting 37% as a team. The trio of Newton, Reed, and Brown combined to score 58 of the Canes’ 81 points. Miami also outrebounded the Pack to the tune of 41-33.

Miami’s season rewind.

Standing at 4-5 in ACC play and 14-7 overall the Hurricanes are on the outside looking in for the NCAA Tournament. The defense has been a strength for the Canes as they are allowing 69.6 PPG in ACC play, ranking fourth in the conference. In addition to not letting up a lot of points, teams are shooting just 44 aginst them in conference play. Miami’s offense has hampered them as they are only averaging 68.8 PPG in ACC games. Davon Reed and Ja’Quan Newton lead the Canes in PPG at 15 a piece. Following Reed and Newton are freshmen Bruce Brown and Dewan Huell at 12.3 and 6.7 PPG respectively.

The Hurricanes are still capable of beating any team as they beat UNC 77-62 last weekend. Miami needs to find more consistency offensively to finish the season on a high note as they are a sound defensive team. Bruce Brown has improved throughout the season scoring double figures in five of his last six games. Brown has also lead the Hurricanes in points in their last two games scoring 30 over UNC and 17 versus FSU. Coach Larranaga will have his team ready come Saturday as they face NC State at 3 o’clock.