The Miami Hurricanes basketball team is ranked after running off five straight wins to start the season. After big wins against the Gators and in the Charleston Classic, how did the players and team perform during the first five games of the season?
Angel Rodriguez won MVP of the Charleston Classic and he was also named the ACC player of the week. But besides all of that, he led a furious comeback against the Florida Gators that helped spark this undefeated start. Rodriguez is being mentioned in player of the year talks, and although I do think that’s premature, it’s still something to keep an eye on because this guy is that good.
SAM
A+
Rodriguez has exceeded my personal expectations for him. We knew of his high level of play and leadership skills entering the season, but I’m not sure anyone expected this. Rodriguez has not only put up impressive individual statistics, but he has improved the play of his teammates and is a key reason why the Canes are currently undefeated and ranked.
SHELDON MCCLELLAN
Games Played
MIN
PPG
REB
AST
BL
ST
TO
FG%
(Average Stats)
5
31.8
13.8
6.0
3.2
0.0
1.2
2.0
55%
JUAN
A
Sheldon McClellan struggled against Florida and Coach Larranaga said that the team has yet to find a way to get Sheldon easy baskets. Well, the team put it together in the finals against Charlotte. McClellan dominated with his 19 points that night leading Miami. What most impressed me about McClellan, however, is that he did the other things when his shot wasn’t falling. Also, shooting 55% on a week that you “struggled” is pretty damn good.
SAM
B
McClellan’s pure athleticism has flashed, and his potential really excites me. His shooting ability and decision-making worry me, though. McClellan has frequently taken long jumpers and has not enjoyed much success on them. Overall, his explosiveness and finishing ability really impress me, but I think he should stick to shots closer to the basket.
TONYE JEKIRI
Games Played
MIN
PPG
REB
AST
BL
ST
TO
FG%
(Average Stats)
5
30.6
8.2
11.0
1.4
2.4
0.4
1.4
44%
JUAN
A+
Tonye Jekiri needs to stop taking so many outside shots, but he has been fantastic protecting the lane for the Hurricanes. He has shown a ton of improvement on the boards and has come a basket shy of a double-double a couple of times this season. If Jekiri can stop taking some questionable shots and start dunking the ball more around the rim, he’ll become everything we ever hoped he would become, and more.
SAM
A
I did not have high expectations for Jekiri entering the season, but he has proven me wrong. Aside from some questionable shot decisions, he has played as well as he can. He has defended the paint and rebounded very well. He may not possess a fully developed offensive skill set, but his timely tip-in buckets have helped this team greatly.
JA’QUAN NEWTON
Games Played
MIN
PPG
REB
AST
BL
ST
TO
FG%
(Average Stats)
5
16.0
5.4
1.0
2.0
0.0
0.6
1.4
44%
JUAN
B
Ja’Quan Newton is extremely talented but he still seems to be finding his groove in the collegiate game. There’s no question that Newton can score, but he has to find a way to get easier baskets. He’s been blocked close to the rim far too much early on but he’ll figure it out because he’s a great scorer.
SAM
B
Newton has been a good rotation player so far. I love his driving ability, but his outside shooting certainly needs work. The floater and spin move he uses near the hoop make you think he’s already an experienced college player.
MANU LECOMTE
Games Played
MIN
PPG
REB
AST
BL
ST
TO
FG%
(Average Stats)
5
29.0
12.2
1.4
2.4
0.0
0.6
1.0
59%
JUAN
A+
Angel Rodriguez has gotten a ton of praise, and deservingly so, for the Hurricanes’ hot start, but his backcourt running mate Manu Lecomte deserves a lot of praise, also. Lecomte is shooting 59% and has shot the three-ball well at 44% so far this season. Manu allows Rodriguez to play off the ball at times and that has proven to be huge for this team. The Belgian is one of two returning players and he looks much improved in his second year.
SAM
A+
Initially, I wanted Lecomte coming off the bench. I did not think a two point guard lineup was the right way to go for this team. That’s why Jim Larranaga coaches basketball and I don’t. Lecomte’s 3-point shooting in particular has really helped spark the offense. He has really improved this season and has started to fit very well into his new role.
JOE THOMASGames PlayedMINPPGREBASTBLSTTOFG%(Average Stats)516.21.22.60.40.40.40.450%
JUAN
C+Joe Thomas is a big body (really big body) and he’s at Miami to bang in the paint and rebound. He’s only averaging a couple of rebounds but he bangs around and allows other people to swarm in for the rebound.
SAM
B-Thomas clearly has a limited skill set, but that was expected entering the season. I think he has adequately fulfilled his role on this team. Once Ivan Cruz Uceda returns from suspension, Thomas will likely come off the bench.
JAMES PALMER
Games Played
MIN
PPG
REB
AST
BL
ST
TO
FG%
(Average Stats)
5
20.6
8.4
1.4
0.6
0.4
0.4
1.8
55%
JUAN
A
James Palmer was a guy that I thought would redshirt before the Davon Reed injury, but man has he proved me wrong. Palmer has been outstanding and has great length in the perimeter. I think Palmer was the guy that held things down before Angel went on a rampage against Florida and he’s knocking down 59% of his threes right now, which is insane. Palmer has been one of the best surprises early on this season.
SAM
A
Man, can this kid shoot. Palmer might have been overlooked entering the season because he was not quite as highly recruited as Ja’Quan Newton and he was playing on a team with a surplus of guards. Like Juan said, not much was expected. Palmer has shot the 3’s very well this season and has really helped out this offense. Defensively, his size has come in handy early on.
DEANDRE BURNETT
Games Played
MIN
PPG
REB
AST
BL
ST
TO
FG%
(Average Stats)
2
13.0
5.5
2.0
0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
23%
JUAN
C
Deandre Burnett missed the last three games with a sore knee which has shortened the rotation to eight players. Burnett is probably the best pure scorer on this team but he struggled in the two games he played this week and a half. Shooting 23% isn’t going to get it done, but most importantly, he needs to get healthy or he runs the danger of falling behind Newton and Palmer for minutes.
SAM
C-
The little we have seen of Burnett this season has been underwhelming. He has not really demonstrated the impressive scoring ability that he is capable of. Hopefully he can get healthy soon, but the Canes have certainly done well without him.
OMAR SHERMAN
Games Played
MIN
PPG
REB
AST
BL
ST
TO
FG%
(Average Stats)
5
19.4
6.6
4.4
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.0
52%
JUAN
B+
Omar Sherman has also been a nice surprise this season for the Hurricanes. I do wish that Sherman played closer to the rim and attacked the boards more, but he has such a sweet stroke from behind-the-arc. Sherman has shown a ton of promise through five games and hopefully he can keep improving his rebounding.
SAM
B
Since Larranaga arrived in Miami, he has utilized big men that can shoot the 3 (Kenny Kadji, James Kelly). Omar Sherman appears to be next in line. His outside scoring has given this team a boost, but there’s some room for improvement in the paint and on the boards.
The Miami Hurricanes are ranked #17 in the AP Poll and #20 in the Coaches Poll thanks to a fantastic start to the season. Whenever you win 5 games in a 10 day span, you’re gonna get an A+ from me. The Canes look great offensively and good defensively despite showing some weakness on the boards. The team seems to have gelled well and it’s shaping up to be a fun year.
SAM
A+
As odd as it may sound, the upset over Florida did not sell me as much on this team as the Charleston Classic did. I thought, although a very good win, the Gators were undermanned and it took a heroic performance from Angel Rodriguez to get the win. These past three games in the Charleston Classic have demonstrated the potential of this team when it gets in a groove. A month ago I thought Miami would be a bubble tournament team. Today, I could see this team as a top 8 seed in March.
JIM LARRAÑAGA
Coaching Grade
JUAN
A+
I don’t think anybody would disagree with me when I say that Coach L is a magician. The man can flat out coach and the University of Miami is lucky to have him. He went to a zone against Florida that set them back and even went box-and-one against Drexel to take out their best player. That just shows that Coach L will adjust to any team/situation and we don’t have to worry much about being out-coached.
SAM
A+
Coach Larranaga has made all the moves necessary to help this team win. He has made halftime adjustments in every game that have helped the team pull away, unlike the most recent former Hurricane basketball coach. Once again, Coach Larranaga has gotten the most out of his players.
