The guys went 1-1 with a primetime loss, while the ladies got a big win and are still undefeated.
We’re back for another week of Miami Hurricanes Men’s and Women’s Basketball. The guys lost at Kentucky in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge on Tuesday, then beat Notre Dame at home on Saturday for their first conference win of the season. The ladies beat Mississippi State on the road Wednesday night in their ACC/SEC Challenge matchup, then stomped NJIT at home on Sunday.
Last week:
Miami played a solid first half in Lexington, despite not having Norchad Omier or Bensley Joseph for most of it due to foul trouble. Our guys were only down 5 points at halftime. They got blitzed in the second half though, getting outscored 53-36. Kentucky got up by more than 20 points in a hurry. I turned the game off with 8 or 9 minutes left. The Canes weren’t coming back and Coach L knew it. Tuesday night was disappointing, no doubt. That said, Miami couldn’t get anything going offensively after halftime, meanwhile Kentucky couldn’t miss and were playing like the Harlem Globetrotters. The Canes got smoked by Maryland early last season and came back to win the ACC. Let’s hope it’s a case of deja vu for Coach L’s squad in 2023.
I recapped Miami’s 62-49 win over Notre Dame. The Canes didn’t play their best game, but they did enough to start 1-0 in ACC play. Miami only plays one Power 5 team in Colorado before resuming conference play vs Clemson on 1/3. Otherwise, the Canes host LIU Brooklyn, La Salle, Stonehill, and North Florida. Let’s hope Coach L and his staff get their guys tightened up against some lesser opponents. The ACC is going to be a gauntlet this year.
Miami fell seven spots to #15 in today’s AP top 25 Poll. Seems like a bit of a steep drop considering all the other teams that lost last week. Whatever. I don’t think the Canes will ever get the benefit of the doubt in the rankings, for any sport. Us against the world!
The Canes check in at No. 15 in both the @AP_Top25 & @usatodaysports Coaches Poll pic.twitter.com/POtJLWUrpw
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) December 4, 2023
The Lady Canes traveled to Starkville, MS to take on the Bulldogs as part of the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge. Miami rode a strong second half to secure the 74-68 victory. Lazaria Spearman came off the bench and put up a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Jasmyne Roberts just missed a double-double with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Lemyah Hilton also provided a big spark off the bench, leading the team in scoring with 16 points. The Lady Canes won the shooting battle again, 47.5% to 41.5% overall. They made only one fewer three-pointer on eight less attempts. Miami also killed Mississippi State on the boards, 45-17. It was an impressive road win that Coach Meier should be able to build on.
The ladies returned home to beat the NJIT Highlanders, 87-43. It was another balanced effort from the Canes; six players scored in double-figures. Jasmyne Roberts led the way with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. Jaida Patrick had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals. I will keep beating the dead horse of shooting percentages in wins: the Lady Canes shot 34-59 from the field, 57.6%, including 7-16 from three, 43.8%. When they shoot that well, they are hard to beat. Coach Meier has a deep and talented team this year.
This week:
The guys host LIU Brooklyn on Wednesday, 12/6 at 7:00 PM EST. The game will be televised on ACC Extra. The Sharks are 1-6 this season. Miami travels to Brooklyn to take on Colorado for the NABC Brooklyn Showcase on Sunday, 12/10 at 2:00 PM EST. The game will be televised on ESPN2. The Buffalos are 6-2 this season, with one of the losses coming to Florida State.
The Lady Canes host DePaul on Friday, 12/8 at 7:00 PM EST. The Blue Demons are 4-4 this season.
GO CANES!