Canespace

Seven and Five

Your Miami Hurricanes finished the 2008 football season with a thud, losing 38-28 to North Carolina State on a cold, gloomy day in Raleigh.  Not even the presence of CanesgirlNC (seen here with her daughter and friends) could bring home a much needed victory over the Wolfpack.

The Canes, who at one point this season won five straight games and were ranked for the first time in three seasons, finished the year at 7-5 after dropping their last two ACC match-ups against Georgia Tech and NC State.

After finishing at 5-7 in 2007, Miami improved by just two games in 2008.  The Canes finished 4-4 in the ACC with wins over Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia and Virginia Tech and losses to the Seminoles, Tar Heels, Yellow Jackets and Wolf Pack.  The Canes late season decline saved Sun-Sentinel writer Shandel "Saluki" Richardson the ultimate embarassment of having to wear a Canespace T-shirt (seen above) to work.  But there is always next year Shandel, next year!

And, while the Canes did improve their W-L record and their play in general this season, they also showed that there is much work to be done and room for improvement before this team can compete for an ACC title, much less a national championship. 

With a young team and a tough road schedule in 2009 it is likely going to be 2010 before your Canes are once again knocking on heaven's door.  The lesson learned from 2008?  Be patient Canes fans; improvement may be slow, but better days will be here again.  The cutie pictured above told me so and I believe her, don't U! 

In the meantime, U may want to go out and cheer on Frank Haith's 21st ranked UM basketball team at the BUC. In case you missed it, they won again yesterday, beating Stetson 79-65.

The bowl eligible Hurricanes will now wait to hear where they will play their next game.  The choices appear to be limited to the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl in Nashville, The Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte or most likely the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco.  However it works out, it will be a disappointment after the Canes had a potential shot at the ACC championship and a possible date in the Orange Bowl game.

Speaking of the ACC championship game, Virginia Tech and Boston College will face off in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, December 6 to represent the ACC in the Orange Bowl.  

The pictures above and below from the NCST game are from world renowned Canespacer Keoki who is famous for two things: (1) The awesome Canespace tailgate parties at TNP stadium; and (2) For creating the "Keoki Mystery Punch" that he served at these events. 

The red-colored punch, whose recipe remains a trade secret but is rumored to be a combination of cherry Kool Aid and several types of flavored rums and liquors, not only put the giddy up back in MaryLou's step but is the only known substance to temporarily quite Carlos' criticism of UM Offensive Coordinator Patrick Nix.  Yes, that is how powerful "The Punch" really is!

   

The Short List To South Beach: Week 14

The final week of the regular season arrives and it's BCS apocalypse on the horizon as the Shortlist to South Beach reads like an entry from beyond the great beyond:

Alabama, Utah, Boise State, Ball State, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Penn State, Southern Cal, Texas Tech.

The second most prestigious team in the game stands tall as a testament to Nick Saban's ability to win in the SEC West as the Iron Bowl provides the final barrier to a stunning turnaround campaign.  The die is already cast for a SEC title game of classic status with what would amount to a Shortlist invitation on the line for the winner when the Gators and Tide tangle if both win their season finales but rivalry games are always different affairs in bitter disputes such as the ones these two schools enter on Saturday.  

Last week I called for a trio of upsets, none of which materialized, so again the Shortlist contenders remain unchanged but no longer unordered.  The three impressive programs last week are:

1) Utah decisively settles the Holy War against BYU 48-24 this year and now finds themselves knocking on the hallowed doors of a BCS bowl once again. The 2004 Utes are my standard bearer of non-BCS teams in BCS bowls but this team is a different breed of animal from that squad.  Still, something is up in the Beehive state and both these teams will be future thorns in the side of any BCS like bowl scheme of the future.

 

2) Bosie State starts fast and then holds on against Nevada 41-34 as Chris Petersen finds himself looking at a second undefeated season in three years. 

 

You have to go back to the reign of Larry Coker to find an offensive coordinator who stepped into a head coach role to so much instant success.  

 

Will Petersen leave Boise with his head held higher than Coker?  That remains to be seen.

 

3) Penn State drops the ax on Michigan State 49-18 and now waits to completely spoil the Rose Bowl with a Oregon State win on Saturday.  Look, I have lots a gripe with Joe Paterno for being the point man in ruining college football with the instant replay system that's been imposed the last few years, but I'll hand it to him, he's done a astounding job silencing the critics with the on field results the past few years.  Maybe he's not as over the hill as his hip status suggests?  Or maybe Galen Hall is still a pretty solid offensive coach despite his raw deal at the hands of NCAA?  I tend to side with the latter but the Lions are a solid team that can compete with anybody else left on the Shortlist in my opinion either way.

I expect the Shortlist to South Beach to remain unchanged for yet another week this year in Week 14.  If results hold to form it should be a helacious week of competition to decide who gets their ticket punched for a shot at infamy in 2009 here on the Shortlist to South Beach.

Copyright 2008 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com

One Year Later, One Life Lost

Today, November 27, 2008 marks the one year anniversary since Sean Taylor, a true Miami Hurricane hero, lost his life. In a callous and senseless attack that resulted from a burglary gone bad, three young punks and one trigger man ended the life of a son, father and promising NFL star.

"Tragic loss" doesn't even begin to describe this horrific event. How do you define the shooting and death of a man who meant so much to so many people?  How do you forget, much less forgive?  If you bleed orange and green, as most surely Sean Taylor did, you don't and you can't; you just can't.

Today, on an otherwise unremarkable plot of land in southern Miami-Dade County just off the Homestead extension of the Florida Turnpike, lies Woodlawn Park South cemetary.  Located off of Killian Drive and SW 117 Avenue, it is a place I know well. 

You see, my mother, who died of cancer in 1995, is buried there.  And it just so happens that so is #26, Sean Taylor.

I have visited this cemetary many, many times.  Sometimes alone, other times with my wife and family, some of whom still live in Kendall.  A few times when I have visited alone, I have carried on a old Irish tradition of pouring out some liquor around the grave of my mother.  

My mom, who worked at the UM Medical Campus was also a huge Canes fan.  When I was younger we would would watch UM games together. When the Canes were on defense she would scream "Get him" and we would high five at every score.  Watching the Canes teams of the late 80's and early 90's we high fived a lot.

When she was alive, my mom fancied Jameson Irish Whiskey.  Thanks to my grave site visits, she may have had as much whiskey in her after-life than when she was living. We have shared a few laughs, more than a few shots of whiskey and quite a few magnificent sunsets together at the cemetary where she, and Sean Taylor, are now buried.

On a trip earlier this year to visit the cemetary I made an effort to locate Sean's grave site.  If you have visited cemetaries, as I am sure most of you have, then you know that there are gravesites and headstones of all types. Some simple, some large, others ornate and extravagant, all reflecting the wishes of the dead or the wishes of their families.

I was surprised to find that in Section 34, at a simple grave site with an ordinary marker much like my mom's, lies one Sean Michael Maurice Taylor.   When I visited around the time of his birthday (April 1) the tributes to this fallen hero were everywhere around the site. 

Balloons, flowers, stuffed animals, a few empty bottles, a football and a #21 Redskins towel were some of the remembrances left behind by people who had recently stopped by to pay their respects.  Sean was gone, but clearly he was not forgotten by his many, many fans.

On my visit, when I was there alone with #26 on a clear, crisp Spring day, all I had to offer was some Irish whiskey and a UM cap.  I told Sean about the time that my wife and I sat in the cold rain at Doak Campbell Stadium and we watched him dominate a game like we had never seen.  I laid my cap on his grave site, poured out some Irish whiskey (I hope he liked it) and took a knee in prayer for my fallen hero.

My mom and my Hurricane hero, both buried at the same cemetary, a few hundred yards and about 12 years apart, and both very close to my heart.  I would never try to compare or equate the impact that these two people had on my life, as that would obviously be inappropriate and unfair. 

But suffice it to say that they both made an impact on me, in life and in the death.  And the best part is that on any day, I can visit them both in the same place, at the same time.  Sometimes when I visit I may even pour out some Irish whiskey in their honor.  

When I was there in April, standing at their grave sites, it became obvious to me that some things in life are definitely worth living for and some are even worth dying for.  The rest of the things we worry or complain about, like football games, become kind of insignificant, don't you think?

Sean Taylor: One Year Later (Part II)

The Birth of A Man And A Miracle

This feature was first posted on April 1, 2008.  On November 27 we will post a new feature article in tribute to Sean Taylor to recognize his contributions to the University of Miami...

Sean Michael Maurice Taylor was born in Miami on April 1, 1983. 

Perhaps by fate, maybe by coincidence, it was later that same year that the University of Miami, behind a quarterback named Kosar and coach named Schnellenberger, would win their first college football National Championship by beating heavily favored Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. 

That game, which put the UM program on the big-time college football map, has often been referred to as the "Miracle in Miami".  Sean's Taylor's birth in April of that year could also be seen as a miracle for what this young man would soon bring to his team and its fans in his home town.

Sean grew up in a tough South Dade neighborhood and later attend Gulliver High School where he would help them win the Class 2A State Title. His spectacular play would help him become the #1 ranked prep player in Miami-Dade County by the Miami Herald.  Sean was so dominant at the high school level that he played multiple positions including running back, linebacker and defensive back. 

After a spectacular Senior season and a hotly contested recruiting battle for this star athlete, Sean decided to attend the University of Miami.  It would prove to be somewhat ironic that Sean would wind up being one of only four true freshmen to play in 2001 on the Hurricanes fifth National Championship team. 

Even at this early stage, Sean's life had seemingly come full circle.  From being born during the Miracle in Miami season of 1983 to contributing to what was arguably the best UM team ever, the Canes 2001 championship team.  Sean Taylor, a hometown boy had already grown to become a hometown hero and would eventually become a true legend to Canes fans in the 305 and beyond.

As Junior at UM in 2003, after beating FSU at Doak Campbell Stadium in the pouring rain seemingly all by himself, Sean would win a slew of college football awards.  After that season, Sean decided it was time to take the next step in his carrer and would opt for the NFL draft.   

He would be the first of six Canes selected in the first round that year (an NFL record) when he was drafted fifth overall by the Washington Redskins. 

By 2006 there was no doubt that Sean Taylor had become the dominant player at his position and was honored by being selected to the NFL Pro-bowl that year.  He was nicknamed "Meast" by teammates for being part man, part beast.  Taylor would become one of the most feared hitters in the NFL and gained the respect of his peers at the highest level of competition.       

Entering his third year as a Redskin, Sean seemed to be at the top of his game and the NFL talent pool.  By the tenth week of the NFL season he was tied for the league lead in interceptions and was considered an automatic selection for his second straight Pro-Bowl. 

Then came the fateful night of November 26, 2007.

Sean Taylor, while at home asleep with his wife and 18 month-old daughter, awoke to a loud noise in his home.  In an effort to protect his family, Sean confronted the would-be burglars.  He was shot once and would later die from the severe loss of blood as his femoral artery was torn apart by the single bullet. 

That night would end the life of a real Hurricane hero.

Sean Taylor's sudden and tragic death shocked his family, friends, teammates and the Hurricane faithful.  When he died the day following the shooting, we promised to never forget his contributions to the University of Miami. 

This blog article is our simple way of proving that we have not forgotten Sean Taylor, #26, who played at The U and was proud to wear the orange and green. 

Some memories and images never fade.  And even now, if you close your eyes, you can probably still see him, #26 back peddaling into open space, picking off another deep pass, splashing through the rain and the mud at the Doak, weaving down the field behind several blockers, refusing to be denied and diving into the end zone for a pick six. 

That is how we will remember Sean Taylor.

A miracle of a man who at times seemed completely capable of beating the other team all by himself.

This feature was first posted on April 1, 2008.  On November 27 we will post a new feature article in tribute to Sean Taylor to recognize his contributions to the University of Miami...

Sean Michael Maurice Taylor was born in Miami on April 1, 1983. 

Perhaps by fate, maybe by coincidence, it was later that same year that the University of Miami, behind a quarterback named Kosar and coach named Schnellenberger, would win their first college football National Championship by beating heavily favored Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. 

That game, which put the UM program on the big-time college football map, has often been referred to as the "Miracle in Miami".  Sean's Taylor's birth in April of that year could also be seen as a miracle for what this young man would soon bring to his team and its fans in his home town.

Sean grew up in a tough South Dade neighborhood and later attend Gulliver High School where he would help them win the Class 2A State Title. His spectacular play would help him become the #1 ranked prep player in Miami-Dade County by the Miami Herald.  Sean was so dominant at the high school level that he played multiple positions including running back, linebacker and defensive back. 

After a spectacular Senior season and a hotly contested recruiting battle for this star athlete, Sean decided to attend the University of Miami.  It would prove to be somewhat ironic that Sean would wind up being one of only four true freshmen to play in 2001 on the Hurricanes fifth National Championship team. 

Even at this early stage, Sean's life had seemingly come full circle.  From being born during the Miracle in Miami season of 1983 to contributing to what was arguably the best UM team ever, the Canes 2001 championship team.  Sean Taylor, a hometown boy had already grown to become a hometown hero and would eventually become a true legend to Canes fans in the 305 and beyond.

As Junior at UM in 2003, after beating FSU at Doak Campbell Stadium in the pouring rain seemingly all by himself, Sean would win a slew of college football awards.  After that season, Sean decided it was time to take the next step in his carrer and would opt for the NFL draft.   

He would be the first of six Canes selected in the first round that year (an NFL record) when he was drafted fifth overall by the Washington Redskins. 

By 2006 there was no doubt that Sean Taylor had become the dominant player at his position and was honored by being selected to the NFL Pro-bowl that year.  He was nicknamed "Meast" by teammates for being part man, part beast.  Taylor would become one of the most feared hitters in the NFL and gained the respect of his peers at the highest level of competition.       

Entering his third year as a Redskin, Sean seemed to be at the top of his game and the NFL talent pool.  By the tenth week of the NFL season he was tied for the league lead in interceptions and was considered an automatic selection for his second straight Pro-Bowl. 

Then came the fateful night of November 26, 2007.

Sean Taylor, while at home asleep with his wife and 18 month-old daughter, awoke to a loud noise in his home.  In an effort to protect his family, Sean confronted the would-be burglars.  He was shot once and would later die from the severe loss of blood as his femoral artery was torn apart by the single bullet. 

That night would end the life of a real Hurricane hero.

Sean Taylor's sudden and tragic death shocked his family, friends, teammates and the Hurricane faithful.  When he died the day following the shooting, we promised to never forget his contributions to the University of Miami. 

This blog article is our simple way of proving that we have not forgotten Sean Taylor, #26, who played at The U and was proud to wear the orange and green. 

Some memories and images never fade.  And even now, if you close your eyes, you can probably still see him, #26 back peddaling into open space, picking off another deep pass, splashing through the rain and the mud at the Doak, weaving down the field behind several blockers, refusing to be denied and diving into the end zone for a pick six. 

That is how we will remember Sean Taylor.

A miracle of a man who at times seemed completely capable of beating the other team all by himself.

Sean Taylor: One Year Later (Part I)

This blog was written by CanesGirlNC last year after the first news of the Sean Taylor tragedy was released:

Sean Taylor, who made #26 famous for big plays and hard hits while at the University of Miami was the 5th player taken overall in the 2004 NFL draft. 

He was the first UM player selected that year when drafted by Washington to bring back a feared presence in the middle of the field and soon became key in the rebuilding of the Redskins' defense. 

Taylor has earned the respect of many and has already been selected to the Pro Bowl in his short NFL career.

In 2001, he was one of just four true freshmen to play for Miami in the 2001 national championship season, carving a niche for himself in Miami's secondary.  Taylor was named "Big East Special Teams Player" of the Week for his performance against the University of Pittsburgh.

In 2002, Taylor was a second-team All-Big East selection by the league's head coaches in his first season as a starter.  He led all defensive backs in tackles, interceptions and passes broken up and had a career-high 11 tackles (2 solo) and intercepted 2 passes in the Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State University.

During his final year at Miami, Taylor produced a historic season that culminated with honors and awards. He was a named a consensus first-team All-American, the Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation's best defensive back. He led the Big East Conference and ranked first nationally in interceptions per game (0.98) with 10, tying the record for interceptions in a season with former Hurricane standout Bennie Blades. He finished first in total tackles with 77 (57 solos).

He intercepted two passes in Miami's impressive 28-14 win over Pittsburgh, playing a key role as the Hurricanes limited All-American receiver Larry Fitzgerald to two receptions for 13 yards. He returned interceptions for an average of 18.4 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown return at Boston College, a 50-yard scoring runback at Florida State, and a 44-yard scoring runback against Rutgers.

But as of  November 26, 2007 all of the foregoing seems unimportant, insignificant as Sean suffered a serious gunshot injury from an intruder in his own home.  His femoral artery had been severed and blood loss was significant.  He underwent surgery and lapsed into a coma, hanging somewhere in the balance between survival and death.  Thankfully, a recent update has him responding to slight commands from the doctors and they now use “cautiously optimistic” in regard to his condition.

Sean Taylor and his girlfriend had a baby girl last year. That had resulted in a change in the Pro Bowl safety, said Portis in a statement from the Washington Redskins. 

"Ever since Sean had his little girl, it was like a new Sean," Portis said. "He was always smiling, always happy, always talking about his child. It was good to see Sean walk by smiling.  Now all of a sudden, his back is up against the wall, our backs are up against the wall."

Sean Taylor.  A son, a father, a football player who wore #26 and became one of the best to ever wear the U.  He is a true warrior who wore the orange and green proudly and became a true Hurricane superhero.   

His on the field accomplishments, while forever legendary among Canes fans everywhere, now pale in importance with his life hanging in the balance...

Editorial Note:  Sean Taylor died from his gunshot injuries sometime in the early morning of November 27. 2007.  The Hurricane family mourns the loss of one of our own.  Sean Taylor, RIP.

Sean Taylor, who made #26 famous for big plays and hard hits while at the University of Miami was the 5th player taken overall in the 2004 NFL draft. 

He was the first UM player selected that year when drafted by Washington to bring back a feared presence in the middle of the field and soon became key in the rebuilding of the Redskins' defense. 

Taylor has earned the respect of many and has already been selected to the Pro Bowl in his short NFL career.

In 2001, he was one of just four true freshmen to play for Miami in the 2001 national championship season, carving a niche for himself in Miami's secondary.  Taylor was named "Big East Special Teams Player" of the Week for his performance against the University of Pittsburgh.

In 2002, Taylor was a second-team All-Big East selection by the league's head coaches in his first season as a starter.  He led all defensive backs in tackles, interceptions and passes broken up and had a career-high 11 tackles (2 solo) and intercepted 2 passes in the Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State University.

During his final year at Miami, Taylor produced a historic season that culminated with honors and awards. He was a named a consensus first-team All-American, the Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation's best defensive back. He led the Big East Conference and ranked first nationally in interceptions per game (0.98) with 10, tying the record for interceptions in a season with former Hurricane standout Bennie Blades. He finished first in total tackles with 77 (57 solos).

He intercepted two passes in Miami's impressive 28-14 win over Pittsburgh, playing a key role as the Hurricanes limited All-American receiver Larry Fitzgerald to two receptions for 13 yards. He returned interceptions for an average of 18.4 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown return at Boston College, a 50-yard scoring runback at Florida State, and a 44-yard scoring runback against Rutgers.

But as of  November 26, 2007 all of the foregoing seems unimportant, insignificant as Sean suffered a serious gunshot injury from an intruder in his own home.  His femoral artery had been severed and blood loss was significant.  He underwent surgery and lapsed into a coma, hanging somewhere in the balance between survival and death.  Thankfully, a recent update has him responding to slight commands from the doctors and they now use “cautiously optimistic” in regard to his condition.

Sean Taylor and his girlfriend had a baby girl last year. That had resulted in a change in the Pro Bowl safety, said Portis in a statement from the Washington Redskins. 

"Ever since Sean had his little girl, it was like a new Sean," Portis said. "He was always smiling, always happy, always talking about his child. It was good to see Sean walk by smiling.  Now all of a sudden, his back is up against the wall, our backs are up against the wall."

Sean Taylor.  A son, a father, a football player who wore #26 and became one of the best to ever wear the U.  He is a true warrior who wore the orange and green proudly and became a true Hurricane superhero.   

His on the field accomplishments, while forever legendary among Canes fans everywhere, now pale in importance with his life hanging in the balance...

Editorial Note:  Sean Taylor died from his gunshot injuries sometime in the early morning of November 27. 2007.  The Hurricane family mourns the loss of one of our own.  Sean Taylor, RIP.

Sean Taylor, who made #26 famous for big plays and hard hits while at the University of Miami was the 5th player taken overall in the 2004 NFL draft. 

He was the first UM player selected that year when drafted by Washington to bring back a feared presence in the middle of the field and soon became key in the rebuilding of the Redskins' defense. 

Taylor has earned the respect of many and has already been selected to the Pro Bowl in his short NFL career.

In 2001, he was one of just four true freshmen to play for Miami in the 2001 national championship season, carving a niche for himself in Miami's secondary.  Taylor was named "Big East Special Teams Player" of the Week for his performance against the University of Pittsburgh.

In 2002, Taylor was a second-team All-Big East selection by the league's head coaches in his first season as a starter.  He led all defensive backs in tackles, interceptions and passes broken up and had a career-high 11 tackles (2 solo) and intercepted 2 passes in the Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State University.

During his final year at Miami, Taylor produced a historic season that culminated with honors and awards. He was a named a consensus first-team All-American, the Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation's best defensive back. He led the Big East Conference and ranked first nationally in interceptions per game (0.98) with 10, tying the record for interceptions in a season with former Hurricane standout Bennie Blades. He finished first in total tackles with 77 (57 solos).

He intercepted two passes in Miami's impressive 28-14 win over Pittsburgh, playing a key role as the Hurricanes limited All-American receiver Larry Fitzgerald to two receptions for 13 yards. He returned interceptions for an average of 18.4 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown return at Boston College, a 50-yard scoring runback at Florida State, and a 44-yard scoring runback against Rutgers.

But as of  November 26, 2007 all of the foregoing seems unimportant, insignificant as Sean suffered a serious gunshot injury from an intruder in his own home.  His femoral artery had been severed and blood loss was significant.  He underwent surgery and lapsed into a coma, hanging somewhere in the balance between survival and death.  Thankfully, a recent update has him responding to slight commands from the doctors and they now use “cautiously optimistic” in regard to his condition.

Sean Taylor and his girlfriend had a baby girl last year. That had resulted in a change in the Pro Bowl safety, said Portis in a statement from the Washington Redskins. 

"Ever since Sean had his little girl, it was like a new Sean," Portis said. "He was always smiling, always happy, always talking about his child. It was good to see Sean walk by smiling.  Now all of a sudden, his back is up against the wall, our backs are up against the wall."

Sean Taylor.  A son, a father, a football player who wore #26 and became one of the best to ever wear the U.  He is a true warrior who wore the orange and green proudly and became a true Hurricane superhero.   

His on the field accomplishments, while forever legendary among Canes fans everywhere, now pale in importance with his life hanging in the balance...

Editorial Note:  Sean Taylor died from his gunshot injuries sometime in the early morning of November 27. 2007.  The Hurricane family mourns the loss of one of our own.  Sean Taylor, RIP.

Paradise Jam: Game Four

Information courtesy of the UM web site at www.hurricanesports.com. 

 

For more information or to buy tickets to Miami Hurricane basketball games click on the link above. Season tickets start at just $99.

 

The No. 21/22 University of Miami men's basketball team will face San Diego in the third-place game of the Paradise Jam on Monday at 6 p.m. (EST). The game will be broadcast live on FSN (FSN-Florida in Miami).

 

Game 4: No. 21/22 Miami (2-1) vs. San Diego (2-2)

Date: Mon., Nov. 24, 2008 | Time: 6 p.m. (EST) | Site: Sports and Fitness Center (at the University of the Virgin Islands)

TV: Fox Sports Net (FSN-Florida in Miami) | Radio: 560 WQAM | Internet Video: None

Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | San Diego (www.usdtoreros.com)

 

Probable Miami Starters

No.          Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl)                                          Pts          Reb        Ast

5              Eddie Rios (G, 6-0, 190, So.)                            6.3          0.7          0.7

33           Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Sr.)                      19.3        2.3          2.3

23           James Dews (G, 6-4, 209, Jr.)                          5.3          2.7          1.0

20           Cyrus McGowan (F, 6-9, 236, R-Jr.)                 6.3          5.3          0.7^

21           Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 238, Jr.)                      16.0        13.0        1.0

 

Probable San Diego Starters

No.          Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl)                                          Pts          Reb        Ast

01           Brandon Johnson (G, 6-0, 200, Sr.)                 15.0        5.8          3.0         

20           Matt Dorr (G, 6-4, 196, So.)                                5.5          5.8          1.5         

21           Gyno Pomare (F, 6-8, 240, Sr.)                         13.0        6.3          1.7         

22           Rob Jones (F, 6-6, 230, So.)                             13.5        6.5          1.8         

23           De'Jon Jackson (G, 6-2, 200, Jr.)                     13.7        10.7        4.0

 

The Hurricanes fell to No. 2/2 Connecticut, 76-63, in Sunday's Paradise Jam semifinals behind double-doubles from 7-3 Hasheem Thabeet (19 pts, 14 rebs, 7 blk) and A.J. Price (13 pts, 11 rebs, 5 ast). Miami managed to cut into the Huskies lead several times, getting as close as four points before the break following a 17-2 Hurricane run -- including 12 points from Jack "McClutch" McClinton over that span, but UM was unable to get any closer after shooting just 35.3 percent for the game.

 

The Hurricanes will square off versus San Diego in tonight's Paradise Jam third-place game. The Toreros fell to No. 22/25 Wisconsin, 64-49, in their semfinal.

Note: San diego brings a 2-2 record to Monday's night's game with the Hurricanes, coming off a 64-49 loss to No. 22/25 Wisconsin in the Paradise Jam semifinals. Brandon Johnson led the Toreros with 19 points, including shooting 5-of-8 from long range, while Gyno Pomare added 10 points in their effort. Johnson is among three Toreros averaging double-figure scoring, contributing a team-high 15.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. San Diego, who advanced to the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, returns all five starters and all 10 letterwinners from their 2008 West Coast Conference championship squad.

Hoops Is All The Rage

The No. 16 ranked University of Miami men's basketball team faces an early-season challenge on Sunday, taking on No. 2 Connecticut in the semifinals of the Paradise Jam.

The Hurricanes earned for a date with their former Big East rivals after knocking off Southern Miss, 70-60, in the opening game of the tournament.

The second-ranked Huskies join the Hurricanes in the winner's bracket after defeating La Salle, 89-81, on Friday.

Probable Miami Starters

No.	Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl)	Pts	Reb	Ast
5	Eddie Rios (G, 6-0, 190, So.)	9.5	1.0	2.0
33	Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Sr.)	15.5	1.0	3.0
23	James Dews (G, 6-4, 209, Jr.)	6.0	2.5	1.5
20	Cyrus McGowan (F, 6-9, 236, R-Jr.)	5.5	6.5	0.5*
21	Dwayne Collins (F, 6-8, 238, Jr.)	16.0	12.5	0.5

Probable Connecticut Starters

No.	Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl)	Pts	Reb	Ast
4	Jeff Adrien (F, 6-7, 243, Sr.)	16.0	12.0	1.7
11	Jerome Dyson (G, 6-4, 190, Jr.)	19.3	1.7	3.7
12	AJ Price (G, 6-2, 181, Sr.)	6.0	4.0	2.7
24	Craig Austrie (G, 6-3, 176, Sr.)	12.0	0.7	1.7
34	Hasheem Thabeet (C, 7-3, 263, Jr.)	13.7	10.7	4.0*

IT'S TOURNAMENT TIME
Sunday's semifinals will be broadcast live by Fox College Sports, while Monday's finals and third-place game will be televised by Fox Sports (FSN-Florida in Miami).

With Friday's win over Southern Miss, the Hurricanes improve to 13-3 in in-season tournament play outside of the continental United States and 4-0 in the Paradise Jam -- including a championship run in 2001. Last November, Miami went 3-0 en route to the inaugural Puerto Rico Tip Off title -- knocking off Marist, VCU and Providence along the way.

The Paradise Jam continues through Nov. 24. Miami previously won the tournament title in 2001. The talent-laden tournament field in 2008 is considered the strongest in Paradise Jam history. Also advancing to the winner's bracket along with Miami and UConn is 2008 NCAA Tournament teams No. 22/25 Wisconsin and San Diego. Southern Miss, Valparaiso, La Salle and Iona all picked up tough-fought losses on Friday.

The winners of Sunday's game advances to Monday's finals to take on the winner of the San Diego-Wisconsin game at 8:30 p.m. (EST). The losing teams will square off in the 6 p.m. (EST) third-place game.

AND SO WE MEET AGAIN
Sunday's showdown with UConn marks the 24th meeting between the former Big East rivals -- and the first since the Hurricanes' joined the ACC in 2004-05. Although the Huskies own the 15-8 edge in the all-time series, Miami has beaten UConn in seven of the last 13 meetings since 1997.

Over that span, the Hurricanes and Huskies played twice a season five times (1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003) with the two teams splitting each year's series. In fact, UM defeated UConn every season from 1997 to 2003, winning five games in Miami and two in Connecticut.

Miami has beat a ranked UConn six times -- including a 73-71 win over the then-second ranked Huskies on the road in Storrs on Feb. 20, 1999. To date, that is the highest ranked opponent the Hurricanes have defeated.

Under head coach Frank Haith, the Hurricanes have knocked off 11 ranked teams in the last four years, including No. 5 Duke on Feb. 20, 2008.

BENCH PRESS
Miami has eight players averaging at least five points per game, including five players with at least 9.5 points an outing. As with the Hurricanes' 2007-08 NCAA Tournament team, Miami looks to its bench to elevate the team. Non-starters account for 37 percent of Miami's scoring in two games this season, pouring in 61 of its 166 total points.

Brian Asbury leads the Hurricanes off the bench with 9.5 points per game, while Lance Hurdle came in to contribute 13 points and three assists for Miami in Friday's win over Southern Miss.Jimmy Graham, who plays "starter minutes" like Asbury, is considered a strong spark for the Hurricanes off the bench and is averaging 5.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.

CENTURY CLUB
Brian Asbury made his 100th appearance as a Hurricane in Friday's 70-60 win over Southern Miss. The fourth-year senior has played in all but two games over his career (both as a freshman), including 32-straight starts between the 2006-07 and the 2007-08 seasons. If he plays in every game over the course of the 2008-09 regular season, he will break the school record of 126 appearances.

The Short List To South Beach: Week 13

The finish line to the 2008 regular season is right over the horizon but now the interesting part begins as the final 10 teams on the Shortlist to South Beach rank as follows:

Alabama, Texas Tech, Utah, Boise State, Ball State, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Penn State.

No teams fell off the Shortlist last week in unexpected fashion as just as I predicted, the results at the top came in without a surprise across the board.  As yet another week goes by on the Shortlist without a change in the order of teams, a sense of stability has temporarily descended over the college football season.  

 

That isn't going to last this week as chaos is on the menu from my point of view.  I expect almost a third of the teams on the Shortlist to find their way off this week and the suspects are as follows, all of them upset victims:

Utah, Boise State, Penn State

The non-BCS schools have the most to lose this week as the pay-out from a BCS bowl to the Liberty bowl is a huge discrepancy not just in prestige but in integers also.

 

The Holy War in Utah is going to be a pitched battle of bitter rivals in particular as the very first BCS party crasher faces perhaps the most prestigious non-BCS football program in the game in BYU. The game will definitely be Utah's stiffest test this year to date.  I believe that BYU has more to play for in this game as they find themselves playing spoiler for their rival, while the Utes just want to win at home and punch their ticket to the Fiesta bowl again. 

 

Meanwhile, Joe Paterno has a chance to sew up a trip to the Rose Bowl in Happy Valley but I believe that the Spartans of Michigan State will have something to say about it when it's all said and done. Nevada will take Boise State to the limit and the pistol offense will end up being a fatal shot to Chris Peteresen's second attempt to shock the college football world in the last three years at the final gun I believe. All of it will add up to a day of desolation on the Shortlist right before the finish line.

Enjoy the games this week and I'll be back here next week as we start to wrap up the regular season and the jockeying for position reaches a fever pitch for one of the two coveted slots on top of The Shortlist to South Beach.

Copyright 2008 by Christopher Whlepton for Canespace.com

Run Over, But Not Run Down

This blog was written for Canespace by the pride of Canada Ronny Dhillon...

Thursday night, the Miami Hurricanes could have extended their winning streak to six games.  Instead, they ended up getting outplayed and were run over on National TV.

The final score: Georgia Tech 41, Miami 23.

Coming into the game, Georgia Tech’s offense was ranked as one of the best in the NCAA by running the spread option that head coach Paul Johnson brought in from Navy.

Thursday night proved why.

The ‘Canes had no answer for Tech’s running back Jonathan Dwyer as he rushed for 128 yards on 10 carries, all in the first half. The Jackets ended up combining for a ridiculous 472 yards on the ground, the most given up by UM since 1944. It almost seemed like the Yellow Jackets were going to score every time they touched the ball.  

All week Miami head coach Randy Shannon preached assignment football. That clearly didn’t happen last night. But should all fingers be pointed at the Hurricane defence for this humiliating loss? I don’t think so.

Something that was overshadowed by the stellar play of Tech’s offence was Miami’s lethargic offense. They continuously had three-and-outs. UM’s defense was on the field a lot in this game and can’t be blamed for the loss. Sure they couldn’t tackle, but I say it was fatigue and not a lack of discipline football.

Miami’s offensive coordinator Patrick Nix called a horrible game. All year when they struggled, the excuse for Miami was that Javarris James, their power back, was out with a high ankle sprain. Well he was in tonight’s lineup and not used once during both of UM’s fourth and one calls.

And yes Travis Benjamin, Miami’s most explosive player was injured early and didn’t return, but Nix never dialed up any deep throws, or reverses to any of Miami’s other playmakers. Remember kids, this is the University of Miami, where speed is king and they’re always full of playmakers.

The lone bright spot for the ‘Canes tonight was the play freshman quarterback Jacory Harris. His line: 13/18, 162 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. But if you ask anyone who was watching the game, a lot of blame for that pick could be given to wideout Laron Byrd.

Jacory has saved Miami a lot this year. He won the season opener against Charleston Southern when so many key guys were suspended. He put a spark in UM’s offence to beat Duke as he had five total TD’s in the game. And just three weeks ago lead the ‘Canes to perhaps one of their most significant wins this decade, a 24-17 OT victory over Virginia, which was highlighted by a Jacory lead 95 yard drive late in the fourth quarter.

Now I know some might say Marve has the better arm, but it is clear that Jacory is a winner and should be the quarterback of the future. When you see him in the pocket, he’s checking all of his reads. When Marve is in the pocket, it seems like when his go to WR is covered, he’ll tuck it and run. But the biggest problem for Robert Marve this year is that his eyes seem to lock into the receiver he’s going to throw to before the ball is even snapped, which was the case in Michael Johnson’s pick six.

Don’t expect Marve to lose the starting gig though. Randy Shannon has said from day one of the fall that this is a quarterback partnership and Marve will start every game.

So I concluded with this final statement: Even though Miami was pumped tonight in front of North America, it doesn’t mean Hurricane National should get worried. Lets be serious, there isn’t a team in the NCAA that has as many freshman making plays as the ‘Canes do.

Randy Shannon brought in the #1 recruiting class this past year and they are living up to the hype. UM has had eight, yes eight, different freshman score at least one touchdown this season. Tonight they just proved they are 17 and 18 year old kids who won’t be flawless game in and game out.

Trust me, this is a team no one will want to face come next year.

Embarassed, Humiliated, Defeated

The Miami Hurricanes showed up for a showdown with Georgia Tech in Atlanta and proceeded to get run over in their effort to win the ACC against the Yellow Jackets.  They were embarassed on offense, humiliated on defense and defeated 41-23.

First year Tech Head Coach Paul Johnson demonstrated why he has won as many games in his first 12 seasons as many of the famous college coaches you may have heard of. He also showed why he and his staff in their first year are so far ahead of Canes head coach Randy Shannon, offensive coordinator Patrick Nix and Defensive Coordinator Bill Young that it is just astounding. 

The Canes, to put it simply, got mauled. They were never in the lead or in the game and proved once again why they are too young, too weak and too soft to compete against experienced and physical teams.  Coach Johnson's Yellow Jackets dominated the lines of scrimmage, showed flawless execution and beat Miami at every turn. 

Yes, it clearly became apparent early on that these Canes were no match for a well coached, disciplined, tough and efficient football team.  And, it has become painfully obvious that these Canes have so much work to do before they can truly compete with the big boys.

So now we can all lay to rest the ACC dreams that we had for 2008 and say what all fans say every year since sports were invented:

"Maybe next year"...