articles

Rapid Reaction Takeaways from Miami's win over Saint Leo

Trinton Breeze
2 min read
Here are some takeaways from Miami's 94-61 win over Saint Leo today:

The Jalil Bethea Party has started despite getting thrown out of the game for a flagrant two-foul​

Jalil Bethea fans didn't have to wait long to see him get going in today's breakout game in the Watsco Center. The Hurricanes’ top-rated freshman had a hot-shooting debut, making 3 out of 3 shots coming out of a timeout break within minutes. Bethea finished his debut night with 10 points, going 3-for-3 from the field.

Bethea found himself in a tussle for a loose ball and was subsequently ejected from the game for a flagrant two-foul.

Paul Djobet could see big-time playing time this season.

Today, the player who surprised me the most was Paul Djobet. Similar to Jalil, he entered the game after the media timeout and quickly sank a three-pointer from the right wing. He was the second-leading scorer on the team with 16 points.

Paul scored 6 points out of 8 attempts today, hitting 2 of 2 shots from three-point range. He also recorded three rebounds and two assists.

Djobet could be a player who gains significant playing time if he performs like he did today against Saint Leo. His jumper was smooth, as he has been in the gym working on his shot.

Nijel Pack doing Nijel Pack stuff

Today was significant for Nijel Pack, who sustained an injury last season. Nijel was the team’s leading scorer with 18 points, three rebounds, and five assists.

Great to see him back out there!

 

Comments (22)

View as thread
Games like this Il like to focus on the backups and newcomers, particularly the freshmen. Bethea is a stud. There's no denying his talent. Has got superstar potential. Offensively, he had his skill set on full display early on. Defensively, he still seems to be a work in progress but that's to be expected. However, something to keep an eye on that kind of caught my attention last night was his maturity. I know I'm nitpicking a bit but I'm a stickler for these kind of things. Watched the game on TV, so I wasn't able to pick up on everything but some of the things I did see, I didn't like. Is he coachable? How does he interact with his teammates? His body language? These are all things super star freshmen sometimes struggle with and for some, the reason they don't see much of the floor early on.

A name many, including myself overlooked coming into the season was Divine Ogochukwu. Miami may have found a diamond in the rough with him. Very poised despite his youth. Looked like a seasoned veteran. Again, I know it's against a Division II foe but he plays with a high IQ and that usually plays well at any level. Like what I saw from him, particularly on the defensive end. Definitely someone to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Paul Djobet seems to be much improved. Looked a lot more confident out there compared to what we saw last season. Not sure how much PT he'll get once Matt Cleveland comes back in the lineup but Djobet could end up being a very good glue guy for us coming off the bench.

Austin Swartz didn't do much, but showed flashes with his athleticism.

From the veteran newcomers, I was most impressed by Lynn Kidd. I wasn't sure what to expect from him, but was pleasantly surprised albeit going against lesser comp. Despite facing a lot of double teams, he almost put up a double-double with 16 & 9. For the first time in a very long time, I was yelling at the TV wondering why our guards weren't feeding the ball more inside to a Miami big. Had a much more productive 2nd half, once they started giving him the ball. Finishes well around the rim with both hands. Not a bad passer out of double teams. Yes, it remains to be seen how that'll translate against ACC foes, but against smaller competition I would like to see him get more touches.

All in all, a good win. Handled business and did what they were supposed to do. GO CANES!!
 
Angry Ibis said:
Thanks...should I overreact first or watch first, then overreact?

Have to get ready for the season!
Click to expand...
I think its much more effective to overreact off of not seeing it and allowing those who have seen 1 scrimmage vs a D2 school control your views.

I look forward to your thoughts.
 
King of Allapattah said:
Games like this Il like to focus on the backups and newcomers, particularly the freshmen. Bethea is a stud. There's no denying his talent. Has got superstar potential. Offensively, he had his skill set on full display early on. Defensively, he still seems to be a work in progress but that's to be expected. However, something to keep an eye on that kind of caught my attention last night was his maturity. I know I'm nitpicking a bit but I'm a stickler for these kind of things. Watched the game on TV, so I wasn't able to pick up on everything but some of the things I did see, I didn't like. Is he coachable? How does he interact with his teammates? His body language? These are all things super star freshmen sometimes struggle with and for some, the reason they don't see much of the floor early on.

A name many, including myself overlooked coming into the season was Divine Ogochukwu. Miami may have found a diamond in the rough with him. Very poised despite his youth. Looked like a seasoned veteran. Again, I know it's against a Division II foe but he plays with a high IQ and that usually plays well at any level. Like what I saw from him, particularly on the defensive end. Definitely someone to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Paul Djobet seems to be much improved. Looked a lot more confident out there compared to what we saw last season. Not sure how much PT he'll get once Matt Cleveland comes back in the lineup but Djobet could end up being a very good glue guy for us coming off the bench.

Austin Swartz didn't do much, but showed flashes with his athleticism.

From the veteran newcomers, I was most impressed by Lynn Kidd. I wasn't sure what to expect from him, but was pleasantly surprised albeit going against lesser comp. Despite facing a lot of double teams, he almost put up a double-double with 16 & 9. For the first time in a very long time, I was yelling at the TV wondering why our guards weren't feeding the ball more inside to a Miami big. Had a much more productive 2nd half, once they started giving him the ball. Finishes well around the rim with both hands. Not a bad passer out of double teams. Yes, it remains to be seen how that'll translate against ACC foes, but against smaller competition I would like to see him get more touches.

All in all, a good win. Handled business and did what they were supposed to do. GO CANES!!
Click to expand...
I didn't get to watch the game (**** you, ACCN extra). Just curious, what did you see from Betha that gives you concern about his maturity? Besides the scuffle of course.
 
King of Allapattah said:
Games like this Il like to focus on the backups and newcomers, particularly the freshmen. Bethea is a stud. There's no denying his talent. Has got superstar potential. Offensively, he had his skill set on full display early on. Defensively, he still seems to be a work in progress but that's to be expected. However, something to keep an eye on that kind of caught my attention last night was his maturity. I know I'm nitpicking a bit but I'm a stickler for these kind of things. Watched the game on TV, so I wasn't able to pick up on everything but some of the things I did see, I didn't like. Is he coachable? How does he interact with his teammates? His body language? These are all things super star freshmen sometimes struggle with and for some, the reason they don't see much of the floor early on.

A name many, including myself overlooked coming into the season was Divine Ogochukwu. Miami may have found a diamond in the rough with him. Very poised despite his youth. Looked like a seasoned veteran. Again, I know it's against a Division II foe but he plays with a high IQ and that usually plays well at any level. Like what I saw from him, particularly on the defensive end. Definitely someone to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Paul Djobet seems to be much improved. Looked a lot more confident out there compared to what we saw last season. Not sure how much PT he'll get once Matt Cleveland comes back in the lineup but Djobet could end up being a very good glue guy for us coming off the bench.

Austin Swartz didn't do much, but showed flashes with his athleticism.

From the veteran newcomers, I was most impressed by Lynn Kidd. I wasn't sure what to expect from him, but was pleasantly surprised albeit going against lesser comp. Despite facing a lot of double teams, he almost put up a double-double with 16 & 9. For the first time in a very long time, I was yelling at the TV wondering why our guards weren't feeding the ball more inside to a Miami big. Had a much more productive 2nd half, once they started giving him the ball. Finishes well around the rim with both hands. Not a bad passer out of double teams. Yes, it remains to be seen how that'll translate against ACC foes, but against smaller competition I would like to see him get more touches.

All in all, a good win. Handled business and did what they were supposed to do. GO CANES!!
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. Djobet's line in the box score could hardly have been better. L says he's a good deal stronger as well. Agree with you on Divine. Glad to hear no plan to redshirt him. Although, where is all the PT gonna come from for all these guys, with this depth?
 
Gables Canes said:
I didn't get to watch the game (**** you, ACCN extra). Just curious, what did you see from Betha that gives you concern about his maturity? Besides the scuffle of course.
Click to expand...
One too many stinky faces for my liking when coaches were yelling instructions at him during the game intertwined with some bad body language in between. Hope it's just part of his maturation process. Again, I think the kid has superstar talent written all over him, but he's going to have to buy into what Coach L is selling. Don't know too many players, if any, that have gone toe to toe with Coach L and walked away victorious.
 
Last edited:
hotshot said:
Thanks for that. Djobet's line in the box score could hardly have been better. L says he's a good deal stronger as well. Agree with you on Divine. Glad to hear no plan to redshirt him. Although, where is all the PT gonna come from for all these guys, with this depth?
Click to expand...
That's the million dollar question right now. Hard to really tell what's what off of 1 exhibition game, that for all intents and purposes looked more like a glorified scrimmage. I could be wrong, but I don't ever recall Coach L using a 5 in & 5 out rotation for a regular seasons game, so I doubt he'll start doing it now. I'm sure PT will sort itself out once we're a few games into the season. Going to be interesting to see how things play out, particularly when the roster is healthy and at full strength..
 
Last edited:
He doesn’t come off as very coachable right now and why I’m happy we also brought in Blackmon and Staton-McCray. Playing in a veteran backcourt will do wonders for him
 
King of Allapattah said:
Games like this Il like to focus on the backups and newcomers, particularly the freshmen. Bethea is a stud. There's no denying his talent. Has got superstar potential. Offensively, he had his skill set on full display early on. Defensively, he still seems to be a work in progress but that's to be expected. However, something to keep an eye on that kind of caught my attention last night was his maturity. I know I'm nitpicking a bit but I'm a stickler for these kind of things. Watched the game on TV, so I wasn't able to pick up on everything but some of the things I did see, I didn't like. Is he coachable? How does he interact with his teammates? His body language? These are all things super star freshmen sometimes struggle with and for some, the reason they don't see much of the floor early on.

A name many, including myself overlooked coming into the season was Divine Ogochukwu. Miami may have found a diamond in the rough with him. Very poised despite his youth. Looked like a seasoned veteran. Again, I know it's against a Division II foe but he plays with a high IQ and that usually plays well at any level. Like what I saw from him, particularly on the defensive end. Definitely someone to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Paul Djobet seems to be much improved. Looked a lot more confident out there compared to what we saw last season. Not sure how much PT he'll get once Matt Cleveland comes back in the lineup but Djobet could end up being a very good glue guy for us coming off the bench.

Austin Swartz didn't do much, but showed flashes with his athleticism.

From the veteran newcomers, I was most impressed by Lynn Kidd. I wasn't sure what to expect from him, but was pleasantly surprised albeit going against lesser comp. Despite facing a lot of double teams, he almost put up a double-double with 16 & 9. For the first time in a very long time, I was yelling at the TV wondering why our guards weren't feeding the ball more inside to a Miami big. Had a much more productive 2nd half, once they started giving him the ball. Finishes well around the rim with both hands. Not a bad passer out of double teams. Yes, it remains to be seen how that'll translate against ACC foes, but against smaller competition I would like to see him get more touches.

All in all, a good win. Handled business and did what they were supposed to do. GO CANES!!
Click to expand...

I personally like Bethea's pi$$ and vinegar attitude, provided it doesn't become toxic of course.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest articles

"NFL upside" : OL Joel Ervin officially signs with the 'Canes
"NFL upside" : OL Joel Ervin officially signs with the 'Canes
Miami's New 'Camouflage' Uniforms Added to EA Sports College Football 26
Miami's New 'Camouflage' Uniforms Added to EA Sports College Football 26
FINAL: Second Half Surge Powers Miami Over Southern Miss 88-64
FINAL: Second Half Surge Powers Miami Over Southern Miss 88-64
Miami officially signs DB Jaelen Waters
Miami officially signs DB Jaelen Waters
Making his own name: DB Camdin Portis signs with Miami
Making his own name: DB Camdin Portis signs with Miami
Back
Top