Miami basketball suffers more injuries losing ACC opener to Pittsburgh

The Miami basketball team suffered more injuries in a 70-55 loss to Pittsburgh in their ACC opener.

Sophomore guard Isaiah Wong and freshman forward Matt Cross suffered injuries to bring the Miami basketball program down to five scholarship players losing their ACC opener70-55 to Pittsburgh on Wednesday night. Wong returned and scored 20 points but it wasn’t enough as the Hurricanes shooting woes continued.

Miami has made just nine of 60 three-point attempts in the last three games, shooting 4-20 on three-point attempts against the Panthers. The Hurricanes shot 32.7 percent losing their second straight game. Miami lost to Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday. Miami made only 16-31 from the free-throw line.

Anthony Walker was the only Hurricane in double figures with 11. Wong was the only Miami player to shoot the ball well going 6-10 from the floor, 3-5 on three-point attempts and 6-9 from the free-throw line. Wong has scored in double figures in all four Miami games this season and leads the Hurricanes at 17 points per game.

Miami was playing without Senior guards Chris Lykes and Kameron McGusty. Senior transfer guard Elijah Olaniyi made his Miami basketball debut and finished with seven points on 2-12 from the floor and 0-7 on three-point attempts. Pittsburgh was led by Ithiel Horton with 18 points and Au’Diese Toney with 15.

Miami falls to 3-2 with the loss. The Hurricanes began the season 3-0 before losing to Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday. Miami is scheduled to play Jacksonville on Saturday before having 10 days off and resuming ACC play on December 29 against Virginia Tech. Lykes and McGusty are expected back for the Hokies.

The debut of star freshman Earl Timberlake could happen against Virginia Tech. Fully healthy Miami should be greatly improved over the sub .500 teams Miami had the last two seasons. Miami will attempt to qualify for their first NCAA Tournament this season since 2018 Miami is picked seventh in the ACC in 2020-21.