The Miami Hurricanes play the back half of a two-game homestand when they host Clemson on Saturday. Miami will be without point guard Ja’Quan Newton. He will be serving the second of a three game suspension.
Newton suspension is for violating “unspecified team rules”. He was also suspended for three games last year at the end of the regular season.
Miami is coming off of a 70-61 victory over Georgia Tech on Wednesday night. Davon Reed led the way with 21 points. Dewan Huell and DJ Vasiljevic came off the bench to each contribute 13.
Bruce Brown took over the majority of the point guard duties and finished with eight points, three rebounds, five assists and four turnovers. Center Ebuka Izundu started in Newton’s place as Jim Larranaga went with a big lineup. The Hurricanes other starters were Reed, Brown, Anthony Lawrence Jr. and Kamari Murphy.
With Newton out the next two games, the Hurricanes are down to three scholarship players that can play guard. Brown and Reed are the starters with Vasiljevic coming off the bench. Anthony Lawrence will start at the three the next two games and can play guard in a pinch. He is more suited to forward though.
Clemson is a perimeter oriented attack. Four of their top six players are listed as guards. Avry Holmes is the Tigers second leading scorer at 11.2 points per game. He is also their top three-point shooter. He is shooting 44.2 percent on three-point attempts and averages 2.3 made threes and 5.2 attempts per game.
Forward Jaron Blossomgame is Clemson’s leading scorer and rebounder. He averages 17.2 PPG and 5.2 RPG. He is the only other Tiger that averages in double figures. They have received good balance with eight players averaging at least six points per game.
After dominating a good Georgia Tech rebounding team on the boards, the Hurricanes should be able to do the same against Clemson. The Tigers rank 298th in the country in rebounding. They are particularly week on their defensive end. They rank 316th nationally in defensive rebounding. That should give Miami plenty of second chances to score by grabbing offensive rebounds.
Miami is going to have to play well at the defensive end and efficient offensively. They are not likely to get many points off turnovers. Clemson is 20th in the country committing just 11 turnovers per game.
Saturday Blitz
Setting the Scene
Date: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Watsco Center | Coral Gables, Fla.
-/rv Miami Hurricanes (17-8, 7-6 ACC)
Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga
Record at Miami: 135-65, sixth season
ACC Record at Miami: 61-40
Career Record: 605-399, 33rd season
Clemson Tigers (14-11, 4-9 ACC)
Head Coach: Brad Brownell
Alma Mater: DePauw, 1991
Record at Clemson: 121-98, seventh year
Career Record: 288-183, 15th year
Broadcasts
TV: ACC Network – Wes Durham, Jason Capel –
Affiliates: FOX Sports South; FOX Sports Carolinas; FOX Sports Sun; FOX Sports Midwest Plus; FOX Sports Indiana Plus; Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic Plus; YES; NESN; ROOT Sports Pittsburgh; SportsTime Ohio; FOX Sports Detroit Plus; FOX Sports North Plus; FOX Sports Wisconsin Plus; FOX Sports Southwest; FOX Sports Arizona; FOX Sports San Diego; FOX Sports Prime Ticket; ROOT Sports Rocky Mtn.; ROOT Sports Northwest
Radio: 560 WQAM, Sirius 81, XM 81, Internet 81 – Joe Zagacki
1040 Actualidad – Pepe “Chamby” Campos, Jose Martinez & Daniel Ramirez
Internet: ACC Network Extra
Series
All-time: 10-13
Since rebirth in 1985-86: 10-10
Home: 6-3
Away: 2-7
Neutral: 2-3
Under Coach Larrañaga: 4-2
Coach L all-time vs. Clemson: 4-2
Current streak: Clemson won 1.
Last matchup: Jan. 16, 2016. Clemson def. No. 8/9 Miami, 76-65.
Last Miami win: Feb. 8, 2015. W, 56-45.
Polls
Miami – AP: NR / USA Today: RV (7) / RPI: 54 / KenPom: 36 / Warren Nolan: 50
Clemson – AP: NR / USA Today: NR / RPI: 50 / KenPom: 35 / Warren Nolan: 51
Next: Miami Hurricanes Suspend Ja’Quan Newton for Three Games
Next Game: Miami will face its toughest test of the season when they travel to Virginia Monday night. Facing the nation’s 14th ranked team on the road without their starting point guard will great test Jim Larranaga’s team. The Cavaliers are 18-7, 8-5 and sixth in the ACC. They will be coming off ESPN’s Saturday night prime time game of the week at North Carolina.