Miami basketball leads entire game advances to Sweet 16 over Auburn

The Miami basketball team led the entire game and advanced to its first Sweet 16 since 2016 with a 79-61 victory over Auburn. With an extreme size disadvantage, Miami frustrated the Auburn bigs after doing the same to USC on Friday. Auburn superstar Jabari Smith scored only 10 points on 3-16 from the floor.

Auburn 7’1 center Walker Kessler was 0-6 from the floor had two rebounds and only two blocked shots. The Miami basketball team forced 13 turnovers while committing only four. The Miami guard play and experience have led the Hurricanes to the Sweet 16. Isaiah Wong led Miami for the second straight game with 21 points.

Kameron McGusty scored 20, Charlie Moore 15 and Jordan Miller 12. Miami led 15-6 5:50 into the game and never looked back. Auburn rallied to cut the deficit to 33-32 at halftime. Miami scored the first eight points of the second half to stretch the lead back to nine. Auburn was within two possessions a few times in the second half.

Miami stretched the lead to 64-50 before a six-point Auburn run brought the deficit down to eight. From that point forward Miami outscored Auburn 15-5 to close the game and earn the trip to Chicago. Miami will play Iowa State at the United Center. Moore will be playing 17 miles from where he went to high school.

Miami signed Moore as a transfer from DePaul during the 2021 offseason. Moore previously played at Kansas and California. Miami controlled the tempo led by Moore. Moore added nine rebounds and eight assists while committing only two turnovers in addition to the 15 points.

Miami held Auburn to 30.4 percent shooting, five of 26 on threes while forcing the 13 turnovers. The Hurricanes held a 22-0 advantage in fastbreak points. The Miami guards led the way in the victory. Guard play is always stressed. McGusty, Moore and Wong create unique matchups problems for opponents.

Miami has been able to overcome a size deficit most of the season by forcing turnovers. Auburn had a 47-39 rebounding advantage. Larranaga has done an exceptional job this year adapting to his personnel. McGusty, Moore and Wong have proven to be one of the best backcourts in the country.

Miami will play on Friday night against Iowa State with the time to be announced. Kansas and Providence are the other game in the Midwest Region. Miami is attempting to advance to its first Elite Eight in program history. Miami lost in the regional semifinals in their other three trips to the Sweet 16.