Miami Hurricanes News: Cristobal a lot to prove? WBB loses at Louisville

ESPN named Mario Cristobal as a coach with the most to prove and Tyler Van Dyke in that group of players in 2023. The 2023 season will be critical for Miami to build momentum and quiet the critics. The Miami Hurricanes women’s basketball team lost 71-57 in a key game at Louisville coming down the stretch of the season.

The most telling comment from David M. Hale in naming Cristobal with a coach with the most to prove in 2023 was “If 2023 goes well, Cristobal will be rightfully lauded for a quick rebuild and the “Miami is back” mantra will finally have some teeth to it. If not, the whole experiment could feel like it’s over just two years in.”

Van Dyke needs a bounce-back season under new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. Dawson runs a modified version of the Air Raid with greater emphasis on the run than is traditional in that offense. Bill Connelly of ESPN believes the offense will determine Miami’s success in 2023.

“Can new coordinator Shannon Dawson, his third OC in as many years, get both Van Dyke and the suddenly moribund offense back on track? The answer will determine whether Miami can inch its way back up the ACC totem pole, or whether the Cristobal era is going to start with back-to-back disappointments.

The Miami Hurricanes women’s basketball team lost a chance to continue competing for a double bye in the ACC Tournament next week with the loss at Louisville. Miami dropped to 17-11 overall and 10-7 in the ACC. The Hurricanes were listed as one of the last four byes in the NCAA Tournament by Charlie Creme of ESPN.

Miami hosts Virginia on Sunday in the final game of the regular season. The Hurricanes need to win to continue staying on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. Miami currently owns the six seed in the ACC Tournament. If that holds, the Hurricanes would play in the second round at 8 PM ET on Thursday.