With an 11-1 run in their non-conference games behind them, Miami basketball gets ready for ACC play when they tip off on Saturday at Pittsburgh.
After being on the road for the last three weeks Miami basketball will open ACC play at Pittsburgh on Saturday and travel to Georgia Tech Wednesday. The Hurricanes then return home for the first time in a month January 7 to play Florida State.
Miami basketball is coming off their first loss of the season on Saturday night against New Mexico State in the Diamond Head Classic. The Hurricanes finished the tournament 2-1 with victories against host Hawaii in the quarterfinals and Middle Tennessee State for third place wrapped around the loss to the Aggies.
As has been the case all season Miami’s offense was inconsistent in Oahu. Miami basketball shot 38.7 percent on threes in the two victories in Hawaii. In the loss, they made just two of 18 from beyond the arc.
Getting the ball inside to Dewan Huell and Ebuka Izundu or have the guards penetrate benefits Miami’s offense overall. Ja’Quan Newton, Bruce Brown and Lonnie Walker are all capable of driving to the ball to the goal and scoring, getting fouled or finding an open man. That will help open up the outside shooting as well.
Miami scored 30 points in the paint in the loss to New Mexico. They averaged 42 points in the paint in the two wins in Hawaii. After being scoreless in the first half against New Mexico State Brown came alive in the final three halves of play in Hawaii. He scored 13 second-half points in the loss and had 20 against Middle Tennessee State.
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Huell continued to be Miami’s most consistent player in the Islands. He averaged 15.6 points per game, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in the three games. On the season Huell is averaging 13.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 1.3 BPG this season. The way he has played Miami needs to get Huell more involved offensively. He is only averaging 8.5 shots per game.
The last 60 minutes for Brown. He missed Miami’s victory over Boston University with a hand injury. He came back for Miami’s next game at George Washington but struggled. Brown is averaging 11.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 4.5 APG.
Brown hasn’t gotten off to the start this season that was expected of him. His all-around stats are there, but his scoring average is somewhat below what was expected. He has run the offense at times which makes it tough to focus on distributing and scoring.
Against George Washington, Hawaii and the first half against New Mexico State Brown combined to score just seven points. He has failed to reach double figures four times this season. Super freshman Lonnie Walker has also played below expectations. He is averaging only 8.5 points per game.
Walked seemed to elevate his game when Brown was out. He scored 26 against Boston University. That was the middle of a three-game stretch when Walker reached double figures. Walker only scored ten in the last three games.
He only played five minutes against Middle Tennessee State after injuring a knee. On the Joe Rose show earlier this week Miami Head Coach Jim Larranaga said Walker’s knee injury should not limit him on Saturday.
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The loss over the weekend dropped Miami to 15/16 in the polls this season. They were ranked 12th to begin the season. If they are going to get back there and make a serious challenge at the ACC Championship they are going to need Huell, Walker and Brown to lead the way.