One of the most talented teams in the country sits at #15 in our power rankings. As Jon Rothstein would say, “They have more guards than Shawshank.” Miami is led by Junior guard Isaiah Wong, who might be the fastest guard in the country. He can shoot the cover off the ball, can beat anyone and get to the rim, and makes his free throws at an 83% rate. In other words, someone you want on your team.
The Hurricanes are 23-6 overall and have a 14-5 record in the ACC. Their last game of the regular season will be at home vs. Pittsburgh and will be rewarded a share of the regular season ACC crown with a win. This team is in a great spot entering March. They lost a heartbreaker yesterday to Florida State, blowing a 25 point lead, but the Canes are riding a lot of momentum headed into the biggest month of the year.
Why can Miami make it to their first ever Final Four?
Guard Play. I already touched on this a little with Isaiah Wong, but this team runs DEEP at the guard position and it will be both fun to watch for us, and effective for them in the Big Dance. Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller both have a case for ACC first team awards. Wong averages 16 PPG, shoots 39% from three, 45% from the field, gets a steal and a half per game. Miller gets 15 PPG, shoots 35% from three, 54% from the floor, and also gets a steal and a half per game. Having a backcourt that gets you those numbers would make me happy as a fan but….I’m not done yet. I would be a fool if I forgot about Nijel Pack who scores almost 14 points a game, and shoots an unbelievable 41% from behind that arc. They have more weapons than a bunch of rednecks in a duck blind, and not a single team in the country will want to face them in the tournament.
Coaching. Miami hasn’t made it to a Final Four before, but their coach has. Jim Larranaga was the driver of the carriage when Cinderella, George Mason, made it to the Final Four in 2006. That team is the reason I fell in love with college basketball, and with March Madness. I remember watching with my Mom, who went to GMU, and being in awe of this team that “wasn’t supposed to be there.” Coach Larranaga has been there before with George Mason, and has had Miami on the door steps a couple times. Is this the year he finally takes them?
What is holding the Canes back?
Defense. What is the con of relying on guards or a small line up to lead the way? Well you are subject to getting dominated in the paint and on the boards. Miami is #264 in the country in opponents two point FG, allowing teams to score inside the arc at a 51.9% rate. Their “big man” is a 6 '7 forward, Norchad Omier, who is a tremendous basketball player who is aggressive on the boards and can score the basketball. Jordan Miller also crashes the board, grabbing 6 rebounds a game, but he is a guard. Having two 6’7 guys as your primary rebounders will put you at a disadvantage in the paint no matter what. If Miami gets beat in March it will be because their opponent dominates the paint and out rebounds them on both sides of the ball.
Watch out for this team. Although the size and amount of points in the paint concern me, expect Miami to make some noise.
My Prediction: Elite 8
Next Game: March 4th vs Pittsburgh
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