Miami continues to set new standards for rock bottom after a 117-74 loss to SMU on Saturday. Already leading 32-16, SMU had a 16-0 run on their way to a 62-26 halftime lead and essentially buried Miami. A lack of defense continues to decimate Miami.
SMU made 26 of its 34 shots from the floor, seven of its 11 3-point attempts and out-rebounded Miami 19-4 in the first half. The Mustangs finished 45-64 from the floor, 14-25 on 3-point attempts and out-rebounded Miami 36-18. Seven SMU players finished in double-figures.
Other than the Duke game, Matthew Cleveland continues to be the only reliable scorer for Miami. Cleveland finished with 31 points on 11-17 from the floor. No other Miami players scored in double figures. Former Miami player Matthew Cros had 17 points, going 6-8 from the floor and 3-5 on 3-point attempts with six rebounds and four assists.
Miami never led and the game was only tied for the first 19 seconds before SMU scored the first points on a 3-point shot by Chuck Harris. SMU was led by Boopie Miller with 18 points. He went 7-11 from the floor and made three of his five 3-point shots. Miami allowed over 100 points for the first time since beating Cornell 107-105 in November 2022.
Final: SMU 117, Miami 74
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) January 18, 2025
The defense for Miami was nearly as bad in the second half. SMU outscored Miami 57-48 in the second half. The Mustangs made 19 of 31 shots from the floor and seven of 14 on 3-point attempts in the final 20 minutes. Miami falls to 4-14 overall and 0-7 in the ACC. The Hurricanes are the only winless team in the ACC.
Miami takes the long road trip to the West Coast next. Stanford will host Miami at 11 p.m. ET time on Wednesday night and the Hurricanes will tip off at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at California. Miami returns home on Jan. 29 to play Virginia.