Canespace

Did Christmas Just Come Early?

So your Miami Hurricanes, who slept through their last four games like they were on a tryptophan high, went out and ate some serious turkey on Saturday way before the official Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday. But why complain?

In doing so they answered at least one of my Christmas wishes by beating the Virginia Tech Hokies convincingly by the score of 38-14.

Homers like Go Canes and Big Windy Cane were absolutely giddy with the results. RoachCane, KYCane and NativeCane simply could not believe their eyes at the offensive outburst. It was a performance not seen around here recently.

And even traditional "Negative Nancies" like WWIN, AeroCane and Herbibis had no bad words to say about Miami's hot performance on this cold night in Blacksburg, VA. The Grinch was silenced on this night by the boys from the 305. 

Head coach Mark Richt finally grew wise enough to have QB Malik Rosier sit in his proper place on the bench while should-have-been-all-along-starter N'Kosi Perry looked better than anyone could have dreamed other than Old Skool and RaizeCane who were cheering for him like little school girls.

Wait for it...hold it...wait, let it marinate...the Hurricanes actually scored like some real points on offense during the game like they may have had a real clue what they were doing with the ball in their hands. Amazing, but true.

I know, it is hard to fathom, but yes, it is actually true. And there was not even a debate, the scoreboard said so. Take that you bunch of Hokies!

So now all we need for Christmas is another win over Pitt this Saturday at The Rock. That is not really too much to ask for Christmas, is it?

And then a nice bowl game win to end the 2018 season on a high note while recovering from our Thanksgiving turkey induced tryptophan high (look it up).

Then as long as SolarCane and I don't drown on the Chattooga River this Summer, we can all take a deep breath, sit back and relax and let recruiting takes its natural course and maybe even go go horizontal for a few months.

That is until Spring football, the Legends of The Fall and the stress of another season, starts all over again. May God help us all!

All I Want For Christmas Is Two Wins And A Bowl Game

Two wins and a bowl game. No seriously. That is all.

Is that asking too much? I really don't think so. Do you?

The only question left is will the Miami Hurricanes comply with our request?

I sure hope so. We all want a successful end to a difficult season.

If we finish at 7-5 and are bowl bound and win the bowl game...

Then we might have it!

The Fat Lady Has Sung

It is over.

Yes, it is finally and officially over.

The 2018 college football season is over for your Miami Hurricanes.

The fat lady has sung and all that is left is the crying among UM fans.

With yet another embarrassing loss to an ACC opponent on the road, Mark Richt and company have sunken once again to new lows when an opportunity to right the ship presented itself in the game against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

This ship has been taking on water for a while, but is now run aground and has sunken to the bottom of the abyss. The salvage crews will be out in the morning to recover what is left of the wreckage of the churning hunk of burning junk.

Richt is not right; he is simply wrong.

His once hopeful song has faded away like so many others over his first three years of trying to write a ballad worthy of the Miami Hurricanes glorious past.

There is no more hope or joy or vision for the future other than more of the same old misery we have endured over the last three regimes.

The sooner it ends the less painful the breakup will be. Trust me.

End it now or carry the burning torch of pain with you for the next three years like the last guy did. The misery and malfeasance now carry on like a contagion into our DNA from our once lofty perch among college football greats.

It seems like the pain will never end for the Miami Hurricanes football team.

Hoops, Hoops Baby!

All five starters reached double figures for the University of Miami basketball team Friday night at the Watsco Center, as Jim Larrañaga began his eighth season at the helm with the Hurricanes topping Lehigh, 83-62.

Sophomore guard Chris Lykes capped off the season opener with a career-high 22 points, converting on a career-high eight free-throws and tying a career high with four 3-pointers.

Stuffing the stat sheet senior guard Anthony Lawrence II picked up his third career double-double, notching 19 points and a team-high 12 rebounds, while blocking a trio of shots, dishing out a pair of assists and recording a team-high three steals.

Also chipping in on the offensive end, junior guard Dejan Vasiljevic finished the night with 16 points, sophomore forward Sam Waardenburg scored 11 and senior center Ebuka Izundu capped off the night with 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

Trailing 2-0 in the opening minute, Lawrence knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Canes a lead they would not look back on. Moments later, off of a block by Lawrence, sophomore guard Lykes found himself on the fast break before knocking down Miami's second three of the night.

Overall, the Canes went on a 16-3 run following the opening basket by the Mountain Hawks, to jump in front 16-5, with 16:09 to play in the half.

Leading 25-16, Lykes nearly ripped the roof off the building with a cross-over move that sent his defender to the floor. The Mitchellville, Md., native followed up the ankle-breaking move with a three to place the Canes up 12. Momentum continued to swing in favor of Miami as sophomore forward Sam Waardenburg finished back-to-back end ones to give Miami its largest lead of the half, 34-16.

Following the run, both teams got cold to close out the half, combining to shoot 2-of-26 from the field. Despite the offensive struggles, the Hurricanes continued to wreak havoc on the defensive front closing out the half with a combined six blocks, while also holding the Mountain Hawks to shoot 23.2-percent (7-of-30) from the field, as they took a 12-point, 38-26, lead into the break.

Shooting 1-of-3 from 3-point range in the opening frame, Vasiljevic came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, knocking down back-to-back threes and a pair of free-throws scoring eight of the Canes first 10 points of the period.

Following the offensive explosion, Lehigh began to claw its way back into the contest, cutting the Miami lead to as little as six points, 53-47, with 12:24 to play.

The Canes quickly returned to a double-digit lead after a sequence of events, beginning with a 3-pointer by Lykes with 10:48 to go. Moments later, Lawrence took advantage of a bad pass, which led to a pair of free-throws for Lykes on the opposite end, before Lykes returned the favor by sending Lawrence a beautiful up-court pass, as the senior finished the lay-up to secure his double-double performance.

Miami went on to take its largest lead of the game with 1:26 remaining, when Lawrence drained his fourth three of the night to give the Canes a 24-point advantage, 83-59.

Mello Yellow

The Miami Hurricanes are set for their annual tussle against Georgia Tech.
 
Saturday's game presents a unique challenge against a physical triple option offense that the Canes are mentally and physically prepared to face.
 

"It's two things, really," Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. "One, tactically being ready for everything they have which is going to be different from what you do week in and week out. And secondly, and probably more importantly, it's your attitude and being ready to match them, and to match their toughness, and to match their physicality. It's a game where you certainly have to have your tactics right, but it is still a blocking and tackling day at the office, and the team that blocks better or the team that defeats blocks better and tackles better versus the team that breaks tackles better usually wins."
 
The Yellow Jackets lead FBS in rushing offense, averaging 377 yards per game on the ground. They are also among the nation's leaders in time of possession, ranking fifth at 34:28 per game. 
 
"Last ballgame, [Tobias] Oliver, who, at least in that game, was second-team quarterback, rushed for 120 yards and 2 TDs," Miami head coach Mark Richt said. "He had the game-winning score and also threw an 86-yard touchdown pass in the game. They rushed for 461 yards in the game, which is kind of a typical offensive performance for them, rushing for something about 400 yards a game and controlling the clock."
 

Because of their offensive scheme, opposing defenses need to be physically and mentally prepared for a grueling battle.
 
"Sometimes it's mental conditioning, to not lose your poise," Diaz said. "Like you said, they can be out there for quite a while. They're going to huddle, they are not going to go fast, it's not going to be hot outside, but sometimes you get mentally worn down, and something you were reading early on, and all of a sudden your eyes, your mind starts to slow down. Your feet may be willing, but your mind is where the fatigue really sets in."
 
Defensive back Michael Jackson has faced off against Georgia Tech several times in his career and he knows what the Canes need to do on defense if they want to succeed on Saturday.
 
"Just the mentality that you have to be physical, especially at corner," Jackson said. "Us corners have to be physical and tackle. It's not a cute game. You're going to be dirty. You're going to be sore after the game. You're going to be banging all game and look up and it's only the third quarter and you have to keep banging. It's just a physical mindset."
 

The phrase "assignment football" is frequently heard when a team is facing Georgia Tech. With their triple option offense, Miami's defenders need to be very disciplined with every snap.
 
"They do a lot of option," defensive back Trajan Bandy said. "They do a lot of cutting and everything happens so fast. You have to keep your eye on your man because you never know when they might do a trick play, he might spit it out or he might have the ball. You never know, so we just have to have eye discipline on everything." 
 
The battle upfront is especially tough, as Georgia Tech's offensive linemen will continually try to cut bock Miami's defensive line. Gerald Willis III, who leads the ACC in tackles for loss, believes the Canes are ready to face the GT ground attack.
 
"We're up for the challenge like every other week," Willis said. "We just have to get ready for the cut blocks and these double teams, but we're ready." 

The Optimist In Me

Like everyone on the Canespace blog I have my moods. I have been the greatest optimist and the most dire pessimist at different times. In fact, over the last 14 years, I have probably had enough angst to last a lifetime.

But today, for some unknown reason, I am feeling generously optimistic.

I believe in this team because, well, because I suddenly want to, and I do.

As you watch the game think of this blog as I am making a BOLD prediction:

1. The Miami Hurricanes offense will look like a well oiled, efficient machine versus Duke.
2. The running game will get un-tracked racking up over 200 yards.
3. The passing game will feature quick hitters and yards after catch and a few BIG plays.
4. UM will score 34 points in easy fashion while holding the opposition down to 13 points.
5. The "Turnover Chain" will be loud and proud during this game appearing three times.
6. Miami will return a kick for a TD as special teams look special.

I believe in Coach Mark Richt and I believe in this team.

So prove me right or prove me wrong.

The optimist in me wants to see what you got!

Offense Found!

Six Hurricanes finished in double figures to lead the University of Miami men's basketball team past crosstown foe Barry University, 91-61, Tuesday night at the Watsco Center in the team's lone exhibition game of the fall.
 
Junior forward Dewan Hernandez led all scorers with 19 points and added a game-high 10 rebounds to record a double-double.
 
Junior guard Dejan Vasiljevic also chipped in, as he totaled 17 points and five rebounds, converting on all seven of his attempts from the charity stripe. Redshirt senior Zach Johnson also finished with 17 points on Tuesday night.

Stuffing the stat sheet, senior guard Anthony Lawrence II picked up a game-high eight assists and three blocks, to go along with 11 points, eight rebounds and a steal.
 
Senior center Ebuka Izundu (13 points) and sophomore guard Chris Lykes (10 points) rounded out the sextuplet of Canes who finished the night in double figures.
 
As a team, the Hurricanes shot an efficient 56.1-percent (32-of-57) from the field, converting on 10 long range shots, while the defense blocked seven shots and held the Buccaneers to 26-of-72 (36.1-percent) from the field.
 
Overall, the Hurricanes closed out the half on 27-19 run to head into the locker room leading, 41-33, as Vasiljevic led all-scorers with 13 points in the period shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the charity stripe.

Out of the locker room, the Hurricanes came out firing on all cylinders going on to outscore the Buccaneers 50-28 in the second stanza. Johnson and Hernandez led the attack in the half, as both notched 15 points in the final 20 minutes of play.
 
Hernandez finished the period shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from the field, including a 3-pointer, as the team shot an efficient 17-of-27 (63.0-percent) from the field.
 
Evan Walshe led the Buccaneers with 14 points and six rebounds, the lone Barry student-athlete to reach double figures.
 
Miami opens the regular season at home on Nov. 9 against Lehigh with tipoff set for 7 p.m., and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.

Game Day Blog: Miami vs Boston College

Game Day Rules are in effect.

Please proceed as planned.

Post here, post often during the game, but please, think before you post!

Canespace Prediction: Miami 34 - BC 13

Because I Said So: The Offense Is Great!

The Miami Hurricanes know they need to do better.
 
No one wearing orange and green is shying away from the disappointing loss at Virginia. Instead, the Canes have come back hungry to improve on their deficiencies in advance of the second half of the season.
 
"This week has been a better week for the offense, as a whole," quarterback Malik Rosier said. "I think the big thing that we learned was that we need to come out and execute every play. Two weeks ago, we didn't have a good practice, but the last two weeks the ones, twos and even the threes have been dominating." 
 

The improvement in practice has Miami's offense feeling good after a tough showing at Virginia. The Hurricanes have been much more consistent in practice and wide receiver Mike Harley believes that will translate to success on Friday.
 
"Just being consistent on a daily basis, we dominated the week so far," Harley said. "Sunday, Monday and Tuesdays, no days off. We look good. I feel like we are going to have a great game this week."
 

Freshman tight end Brevin Jordan is impressed with the reinvigorated Canes' attack and how it has responded to adversity since falling at UVA. 

"That loss to Virginia, it kind of fell on our shoulders," Jordan said. "The defense held them to less than 200 yards, three turnovers, and the offense didn't show up, we didn't come to perform. In that week overall, we didn't have the best week of practice. We had to stop in the middle and do up-downs, so this week we came out and we did pretty good."

Friday will serve as Boston College's Red Bandana Game honoring Welles Crowther, who is remembered for his heroics during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Canes expect a highly motivated Eagles team, as well as a raucous crowd in the stands, when they team the field at Alumni Stadium.
 
"I know since they've been doing this game, they haven't lost," Rosier said. "For them, it's almost a pride thing and as it is, it's hard to go in someone else's home and beat them and then you add this game where it's a very emotional game for them so they're going to come out fired up. We have to be able to execute."
 

The Canes and Eagles will be playing in frigid temperatures on Friday night, as forecasts indicate that it will be in the upper-30s when the game kicks off. But Rosier and the Hurricanes are not concerned with the weather. They have the necessary equipment and mindset to succeed at Boston College.
 
"For me, I don't think cold is the biggest issue," Rosier said. "I've played in a little bit of cold weather. The biggest issue sometimes is when you're up in northern areas, it's dry air and the ball gets slick. Sometimes you'll see quarterbacks licking their fingers because we're just trying to get moisture and trying to get that grip on the ball. Coach Richt has done a great job. We're going to be wearing tights, I'll have hand warmers, the heated benches, so we have no excuses why cold will be a factor. That's not even an excuse." 

Rosier will be under center for the Hurricanes and the fifth-year senior brings experience and maturity to Miami's offense. Senior Tyree St. Louis is confident Rosier will excel at leading the Canes' offense.

"This is his fifth year here, it's my fourth year playing with him and second year as a starter, so just the most experience he has," St. Louis said. "He has pretty good leadership, as all the other quarterbacks do, he is a bit different because he has been here, he knows all the guys, he knows all the calls, he knows everything."

"The offense flows a little bit better, just because of the experience that he has," St. Louis said. "Whether it be making the calls, or getting things lined up, or hitting certain targets, things flow a little easier."

Tennis Is Terrific

The University of Miami men's tennis team continue to have success in the Main Draw, as a pair of sophomores advance through to the quarterfinals in singles action and a doubles pair is set to compete in the quarterfinals at the ITA Southeast Regional Championships Presented by Oracle.
 
Competing on the Dan Magill Tennis Complex courts at the University of Georgia, No. 92 Bojan Jankulovski faced off against USF's Ivan Yatsuk in the Round of 32. The sophomore cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 victory, setting up a matchup against Georgia Tech's Cole Gromley.
 
For the third straight match, the Skopje, Macedonia, native picked up a straight-set victory, defeating the Yellow Jacket, 6-2, 7-5.
 

On the opposite side of the bracket, the highest ranked Hurricane, No. 41 Adria Soriano Barrera squared off against Florida Atlantic's Jason Legall in the morning session. The Barcelona, Spain, native quickly picked up a, 6-1, 6-1, victory to advance to the Round of 16.
 
In the Round of 16, the sophomore dropped the first set against North Florida's Dominik Barton, 3-6. He quickly rebounded in the second and third set to claim the victory, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
 

On Monday, Soriano is scheduled to battle Florida's Duarte Vale, who is ranked 57th nationally, at 10 a.m. Simultaneously, Jankulovski will matchup against No. 35 Alberto Barroso-Campos of South Florida.
 
The semifinals are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, with the finals slated for 9 a.m. on Tuesday.