The Miami Hurricanes (5-3) looks to stop 3 game skid, when they travel to Penn to take on the Quakers (6-2).
On Saturday, the Canes suffered a terrible 2nd half home collapse against an average Yale Bulldogs team, marking Miami’s third loss in as many tries. After a promising 5-0 start, the
Canes will look to right the ship against another Ivy League foe in UPenn.
Heading into the Championship game of the Wooden Legacy, the Canes looked to be in really good shape. Zach Johnson had just hit a game winner against Fresno State, a team that didn’t have nearly as far to travel for the tournament in Fullerton, California, and the stage was set for the Canes to take on the biggest challenge in their non-conference schedule: the Seton Hall Pirates.
Even after the heartbreaking two-point loss to Seton Hall, all hope was not lost. While the Pirates currently hold the worst record in the Big East, it was still a neutral court defeat to a team that is poised to spring at least one or two upsets in conference play. Miami was still playing without Dewan Hernandez and were still learning to play together as a cohesive bunch. With back-to-back home games against inferior opponents next up on the schedule, the Canes looked capable of bouncing back and heading into their next road contest on a two-game winning streak.
Except they’re not.
November 23 and 5-0 feels like a long time ago for the Canes, who have lost three straight, including two home games to Rutgers and Yale. Yes, the Yale game was at the American Airlines Arena, but that still seems like a home game to me. While the Rutgers loss is excusable, as they look poised to be a surprise team in the Big Ten this season, blowing a 10-point halftime lead to Yale is simply not okay.
Now the Canes travel to Penn to take on a Quakers team picked to finish 2nd in the Ivy League. The Canes will have to slow down the Quakers well rounded scoring attack that features six players averaging over 6 points per game. Devon Goodman and AJ Brodeur lead the way averaging 15.1 and 12 points per game respectively.
If the Canes are going to win, they’re going to need to get better on the glass where they have yet to take advantage of the size of their front line. In two of their three losses, the Canes have been outrebounded by their opponents, and they only outrebounded Rutgers by 3. This all starts with Ebuka Izundu, who, since his 19-rebound game against Stephen F Austin, has only recorded double-digit rebounds once.
With the status of Dewan Hernandez still unknown, this is a game Miami absolutely needs. It’s not going to be easy, but they need to find a way, or see their chances in March already dimming.
On Saturday, the Canes suffered a terrible 2nd half home collapse against an average Yale Bulldogs team, marking Miami’s third loss in as many tries. After a promising 5-0 start, the
Canes will look to right the ship against another Ivy League foe in UPenn.
Heading into the Championship game of the Wooden Legacy, the Canes looked to be in really good shape. Zach Johnson had just hit a game winner against Fresno State, a team that didn’t have nearly as far to travel for the tournament in Fullerton, California, and the stage was set for the Canes to take on the biggest challenge in their non-conference schedule: the Seton Hall Pirates.
Even after the heartbreaking two-point loss to Seton Hall, all hope was not lost. While the Pirates currently hold the worst record in the Big East, it was still a neutral court defeat to a team that is poised to spring at least one or two upsets in conference play. Miami was still playing without Dewan Hernandez and were still learning to play together as a cohesive bunch. With back-to-back home games against inferior opponents next up on the schedule, the Canes looked capable of bouncing back and heading into their next road contest on a two-game winning streak.
Except they’re not.
November 23 and 5-0 feels like a long time ago for the Canes, who have lost three straight, including two home games to Rutgers and Yale. Yes, the Yale game was at the American Airlines Arena, but that still seems like a home game to me. While the Rutgers loss is excusable, as they look poised to be a surprise team in the Big Ten this season, blowing a 10-point halftime lead to Yale is simply not okay.
Now the Canes travel to Penn to take on a Quakers team picked to finish 2nd in the Ivy League. The Canes will have to slow down the Quakers well rounded scoring attack that features six players averaging over 6 points per game. Devon Goodman and AJ Brodeur lead the way averaging 15.1 and 12 points per game respectively.
If the Canes are going to win, they’re going to need to get better on the glass where they have yet to take advantage of the size of their front line. In two of their three losses, the Canes have been outrebounded by their opponents, and they only outrebounded Rutgers by 3. This all starts with Ebuka Izundu, who, since his 19-rebound game against Stephen F Austin, has only recorded double-digit rebounds once.
With the status of Dewan Hernandez still unknown, this is a game Miami absolutely needs. It’s not going to be easy, but they need to find a way, or see their chances in March already dimming.
