The Miami basketball team will attempt to end a two-game losing streak when they host Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon.
The Miami basketball team had a two-game losing streak and team full of injuries as they host Jacksonville on Saturday. Senior Guard Chris Lykes and freshman wing Earl Timberlake are out until at least Miami’s game against Virginia Tech on December 29. Seniors, center Rodney Miller and guard Kam McGusty are day to day.
Problems for the Miami basketball team extend beyond injuries. The Hurricanes have not shot the ball well this season. Miami is shooting 22.2 percent from the floor this season to rank 321st nationally, 42.3 percent from the floor to rank 238th nationally and 62.2 percent from the free-throw line which is 296th.
The poor shooting particularly cost Miami in a 70-55 loss to Pittsburgh in the ACC opener on Wednesday. Miami shot 32.7 percent from the floor, made five of 24 three-point attempts and 16-31 from the free-throw line. Poor shooting and a shorthanded bench team led to the double-figure defeat.
Miami hosts 6-2 Jacksonville Saturday before taking 10 days off to resume ACC play against Virginia Tech. The Dolphins lost back to back games at Georgia and at home against Campbell earlier this month. The most impressive victory for Jacksonville this season was against Conference USA team Southern Mississippi.
"Game Information:GAME 6 | DEC. 19, 2020 • 3:30 P.M. ET • CORAL GABLES, FLA.Jacksonville Dolphins (6-2, 0-0 ASUN)Head Coach: Tony Jasick (Mars Hill, 2000)Record at JU: 90-112 (seventh season), Career Record: 142-159 (10th season)Miami Hurricanes (3-2, 0-1 ACC)Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga (Providence, 1971)Record at UM: 193-115 (10th season), Career Record: 663-449 (37th season)Information Courtesy of MiamiHurricanes.Com"
Jacksonville is led by forward Donatarius James who is averaging 18.5 points per game and 4.8 rebounds. Tyreese Davis, Diante Wood and Bryce Workman also average in double figures. Workman leads the Dolphins in rebounding and six Jacksonville players average at least seven PPG.
"Series History and Broadcast Information:SERIES HISTORYAll-Time: 26-7 (4-0 since rebirth) | Home: 15-2 | Away: 11-4 | Coach L: 2-0 (1-0 at UM)Streak: Won 4 | Last Meeting: 73-57 home win (Nov. 16, 2012) | First Meeting: 89-87 home win (Dec. 2, 1957)BROADCAST INFORMATIONRSN • Play-by-Play: Bob Rathbun • Color: Grant Long | FOX Sports Sun | Streaming: WatchESPNWQAM 560 AM • Joe Zagacki • Danny Rabinowitz | WQAM.Radio.comWVUM 90.5 FM • Cal Friedman • Josh White | WVUM.org"
Miami needs to win against Jacksonville to avoid entering the remainder of their ACC schedule with a three game losing streak. The Hurricanes coaching staff likes the roster they have this season, but cannot continue to suffer injuries with 10 active scholarship players on the roster. The NCAA allows 12 scholarships for basketball.