Just when you thought it was safe to come out of your warm winter hiding spot in unusually frigid South Florida in early March, it turns out that Old Man Winter has issued another arctic blast that has swept some vile, foul smelling North Florida trash with it into the 305. It just so happens that both the Gators and the 'Noles are in town this weekend for some winter sports action.
If small, hard balls are your thing, then stroll on over to Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Stadium for a three game series between the dreaded Florida Gators and your Miami Hurricanes this weekend. Miami stands at 6-1 on the season after bashing out 78 runs in sweeping three games from the boys from Joisey (Rutgers), taking two of three from the Uptown boys (Manhattan) and beating USF 15-2 on a cold, miserable, grey, windy Tuesday in Tampa.
The Hurricanes also played an exhibition game just for fun against the Florida Marlins in Jupiter on Wednesday. The Marlins had most of the "fun" however, beating the college boys 19-3 as Hanley Ramirez spanked a three run shot in the first inning and Marlins' starter Ricky Nolasco pitched two scoreless innings for the win.
UM aces Eric Erickson and Chris Hernandez are both undefeated and have looked dominant in the two games they have pitched this year. Erickson is scheduled to start Friday night with Hernandez slated for Saturday's contest, both at 7 PM. The final game of the series is scheduled for Sunday at 1 PM.
If you like large, bouncing balls then find your way to the Bank United Center for a noon game on Saturday between the Seminoles and Hurricanes. Former UM and current FSU coach Leonard Hamilton brings his Seminole squad into the ACC match-up with a 21-8 (9-6 ACC) record and a decent shot at an ACC title and possible NCAA birth. FSU won this season's previous meeting over Miami in Tallahassee by the score of 71-65.
Miami (18-11, 4-11 ACC) comes into the contest led Head Coach Frank "Oh Ye Of Little Faith" Haith who has his Hurricanes firmly planted in the cellar of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami lost their most recent game to UNC in Chapel Hill by the score of 69-62 in spite of 29 points from Durand Scott. Leading scorer Dwayne "Coming in the Air Tonight" Collins and true freshman point guard Durand "Durand" Scott will now lead the Hurricanes in their final game of the 2009-10 season.
And if that's not enough, and small, soft, fury balls are your kind of thing, then waltz (yes waltz) on over to the Neil Schiff Tennis Center also at noon on Saturday to watch Miami and FSU men's tennis players whack around the little yellow balls in a tennis match pitting the 31st ranked Hurricanes against the 19th ranked Seminoles. The best part? Admission is free.
Ibis...I couldn't take a swing at the softball you put up. Wouldn't be prudent.
But how do U see the UM RB situation working out?
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 08:05 PM
I like it. What's not to like?
Berry showed us what a real Miami RB is supposed to look like last year. We know he's only going to take another step forward. Mike James was ahead of him but had to be moved to FB where he did very well as freshman. Lee Chambers has showed glimpses of being good but hasn't been healthy. If he stays healthy he could push for some PT.
I know Lamar Miller hasn't taken a snap yet but he was one of the highest recruits in the land at his position because he is the Truth. Everybody's been raving about him. There's no reason why he won't make a push at the spot. Storm Johnson was one of the best players in GA and has shown to be a quick powerful back. Everybody is sleeping on Darion Hall who everybody in the country recruited. Clements can be a versatile back.
Pat Hill has been good here but the future at FB is maurice Hagens. Hopefully John Calhoun has turned it on because he seems like he would be a bruising FB if given the chance. But again, Maurice Hagens is your protypical beast of a FB. I love his running style for that position.
So yeah, I love what at I see at the RB position. I'd stack it up there as being as deep as any team in the Nation if not better. No different than the WR position.
Randy isn't messing around. He's building a monster down in Gables.
Posted by: FightingIbis | March 04, 2010 at 08:21 PM
Q: i have my typepad account but my pic isn't showing up.. can someone help this former stoner out?
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:22 PM
Canerock,
yeah that don't cut it. it's a totally different game.
could Damien Berry play basketball as well as he plays football? i bet he couldn't. put a lineman on a basketball court and he would look like baby trying to walk for the first time.
what happened when Charlie Ward went to the NBA?
i wonder what would've happened if Antonio Gates went to the NBA?
and how often do you see a RB stop on a dime?
Posted by: Daytoncane | March 04, 2010 at 08:28 PM
I don't know Ibis, I think Clements might be the odd man out in the rotation. I remember there was talk of Him maybe switching to CB...
Posted by: CaneRock | March 04, 2010 at 08:29 PM
Dayton, although I would disagree about your RB comment several posts earlier. Case in point, when Payton had to replace Gore in 02', and when Payton had to replace McGahee against OSU. Payton just didn't have the same instincts that Gore had, and He just couldn't hit the hole like McGahee...
Posted by: CaneRock | March 04, 2010 at 08:35 PM
With Hill moving from WR to CB to Safety the versatility screams Nickel back.
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:37 PM
Payton just didn't have the same instincts that Gore had, and He just couldn't hit the hole like McGahee...
Posted by: CaneRock | March 04, 2010 at 08:35 PM
That's what she said.
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 08:38 PM
With Hill moving from WR to CB to Safety the versatility screams Nickel back.
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:37 PM
Roger that!
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 08:39 PM
Pat Hill ≤ sam Gash
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:39 PM
I saw Clements live in HS his sophomore and Junior year.. A baller. However I'd put it at 50/50 he gets redshirted this year. Storm, Miller, james, Berry. Miller and James can return kicks so i'm changing my odds mid post. 70% chance clements gets redshirted. unless he moves to corner.
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:43 PM
HM...bg1906 said the same thing about Clements. I agree.
Berry, James and Miller can get the job done.
Storm if necessary on kick returns with Miller.
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 08:46 PM
Nickel back.
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:37 PM
Or Three Doors Down?
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 08:47 PM
86, sorry U will not be here this w/end. There is a couple of changes to this w/end rotation Hernendez on Fri., Santana on Sat., Erickson on Sun due to some stiffness and given some extra time. obtw Sunday's game is scheduled for 3pm start.
Posted by: Rick Singh | March 04, 2010 at 08:47 PM
Rick...thanks for the update. I appreciate the info. Post here, post OFTEN!
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 08:48 PM
Nickel back.
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:37 PM
Or Three Doors Down?
Posted by: SOUP
STupid yet i laughed out loud..
neither would be my answer.
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:51 PM
HM...bg1906 said the same thing about Clements. I agree.
Berry, James and Miller can get the job done.
Storm if necessary on kick returns with Miller.
Posted by: SOUP
ya but i balieve i writ mo elequently
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:54 PM
HM...bg1906 said the same thing about Clements. I agree.
Berry, James and Miller can get the job done.
Storm if necessary on kick returns with Miller.
Posted by: SOUP
ya but i balieve i writ mo elequently
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:54 PM
Canerock that just had to do with Payton's lack of vision and explosion. it doesn't take a genius to carry a football and run with it.
how many of those ex canes were equally great at basketball? i remember reading something last year on Sam Shields not being good at bastetball but good at football in H.S.
Jimmy Graham was very average on the court. he was basically a poor man's Ben Wallace/Erick Dampier. now he has the chance to be selected as soon as the 2nd round in the NFL draft.
not as hard as you think, is it?
Posted by: Daytoncane | March 04, 2010 at 08:55 PM
STupid yet i laughed out loud..
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:51 PM
I'm good at STUPID.
In case U haven't been around much lately.
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 08:56 PM
Dayton...who we doggin' tonight? LOL
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 08:57 PM
exhale__ not getting baited into this B-ball debate..
Posted by: 16 grams | March 04, 2010 at 08:57 PM
Dayton - wasn't Jimmy ok at rebounding? I can't remember
Posted by: CGNC | March 04, 2010 at 09:00 PM
"....I will NOT be there so unfortunately you are on your own. "
how is you not being there make it unfortunate?
.... hell I might go now
Posted by: solarcane | March 04, 2010 at 09:03 PM
"Canerock, that just had to do with Payton's lack of vision and explosion. It doesn't take a genius to carry a football and run with it."
I beg to differ. To give you another example about Payton repacing Gore. I think it was the FSU game. Payton carried the ball for something like 5 yards, and they showed a replay of the run where Payton should've cut it to His left. And the announcer pointed out that had it been Gore, with His vision, the play would've likely been a TD. I don't know about genius, but just like they use IQ in academia, I believe there is such a thing as AQ (Athletic Quotient) in sports, and you could see it in the comparison between Gore and Payton. Where Payton just "carried the football and ran with it", Gore would've been more resourceful and artful and scored a TD. All I'm saying is that no 2 RBs hit the hole the same way...
Posted by: CaneRock | March 04, 2010 at 09:10 PM
how is you not being there make it unfortunate?
.... hell I might go now
Posted by: solarcane | March 04, 2010 at 09:03 PM
It's a FREE ticket situation. I may still make some ARRANGEMENTS.
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:12 PM
Chris Hernandez
Monsignor Pace
Miami, FL
Baseball – Junior
1. What has been your biggest sports thrill at UM?
Going to the College World Series - The Road to Omaha.
2. Do you have any superstitions?
I do have one; I do not step on the foul line.
3. What is the best advice you have ever received?
Take the game one pitch at time.
4. What are your career goals after college?
My goal is to play in Major League Baseball.
5. Who is your favorite athlete?
Ken Griffey Jr.
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:16 PM
The 10th-ranked University of Miami baseball team plays its biggest non-conference series of the season this weekend as in-state rival No. 5 Florida is set to visit Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field for a three-game series, March 5-7.
Miami (6-1) and Florida (5-1) will open the series Friday night at 7 p.m., with game two set for the same time on Saturday. Sunday's series finale - originally scheduled for 1 p.m. - will start at 3 p.m. and will be televised live by Sun Sports.
The Hurricanes have opened the 2010 season winning six of their first seven, with series wins over Rutgers and Manhattan as well as a mid-week 15-2 victory over USF on Tuesday at the Florida Four tournament in Tampa. Miami is averaging 11.14 runs per game (78 runs in seven contests) and has reached double-digit runs in four of its first seven games.
On Tuesday against USF, preseason All-America catcher Yasmani Grandal led the `Canes at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three doubles, two walks, two RBI and three runs scored. In addition to Grandal's contributions, Michael Broad had four RBI on the night, Harold Martinez reached base four times and scored three times and Chris Pelaez extended his hitting streak to six games.
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:18 PM
Kobe is way more clutch than any QB or RB i've seen.
dude has hit so many game winning shots it's rediculous.
Lebron was easily an all-state WR in high school. but he still doesn't have a consistent jumper.
Posted by: Daytoncane | March 04, 2010 at 09:20 PM
Dayton, check out A.I.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCAkVvNFk-0
Posted by: CaneRock | March 04, 2010 at 09:25 PM
Points....................... 29 Durand Scott at North Carolina (03/02/10)
23 Dwayne Collins vs Wake Forest (01/09/10)
22 James Dews vs South Carolina (11/22/09)
22 Dwayne Collins vs Tulane (11/19/09)
21 Dwayne Collins vs Duke (02/17/10)
21 James Dews vs Virginia Tech (01/31/10)
21 James Dews at Pepperdine (01/03/10)
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:25 PM
Isiah Moses Walter Hipp aka I.M. Hipp
straightup gangsta!
This must have been taken when he was with Sly And The Family Stone
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj201/solarcane/imhipp.jpg
Posted by: solarcane | March 04, 2010 at 09:26 PM
Posted by: CaneRock | March 04, 2010 at 09:10 PM
that was the tenn game in 03 I believe and gary dannielson(sp?) was the announcer...the play happened right after Payton had a long run and got cought by jabbari greere...and the nxt play was the one in question...um kicked a fg afterwards...it reminded me of the ur b4 when antrel rolle hawked down Cedrick Houston on rocky top and ut settles for a fg and the rout was on
Posted by: Nashvillecane | March 04, 2010 at 09:27 PM
Dayton...King James has a higher number and % of game winning shots than the Kobemiester.
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:27 PM
Raize - you made a very good point, especially in the case of our lawyer friend
SOUP - I commend you for leaving certain things posted on the last blog
Posted by: shwarma | March 04, 2010 at 09:29 PM
Trivia for a Canespace T-shirt:
Name three of the four highest paid assistant coaches in college football?
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:30 PM
Thanks Nash, THAT WAS IT! I remember it was a loss. I think that was the game where KW2 made the soldier comment...
Posted by: CaneRock | March 04, 2010 at 09:33 PM
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:30 PM
Kirby Smart...Will Muschap...Kevin Steele...the new dc at tenn
Posted by: Nashvillecane | March 04, 2010 at 09:34 PM
Monte Kiffin
Posted by: pb(CSROH10) | March 04, 2010 at 09:35 PM
Thanks Nash, THAT WAS IT! I remember it was a loss. I think that was the game where KW2 made the soldier comment...
Posted by: CaneRock | March 04, 2010 at 09:33 PM
yup and Brock had 2-3 red zone turn overs
Posted by: Nashvillecane | March 04, 2010 at 09:36 PM
Dayton...King James has a higher number and % of game winning shots than the Kobemiester.
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:27 PM
and Lebron is from where?
don't hate lol.
Posted by: Daytoncane | March 04, 2010 at 09:37 PM
So Dayton, who's the best from Ohio, The Big O, or Lebron...
Posted by: CaneRock | March 04, 2010 at 09:41 PM
monte kiffen one of them soup?
Posted by: solarcane | March 04, 2010 at 09:46 PM
i love Lebron, but the big O was just a flat out boss as Cav would say.
LBJ is close though. he just needs to become a better shooter. and i don't trust him at the free throw line late in the game.
Posted by: Daytoncane | March 04, 2010 at 09:50 PM
Monte Kiffin 1.33 M (TENN)
Will Muschamp (Texas)
Ed Orgeron (Tenn)
Jimbo Fisher (FSU)
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:50 PM
monte kiffen
ed orgeron
will muscamp
aqua
Posted by: solarcane | March 04, 2010 at 09:53 PM
Highest paid assistants in 2009?
Tennessee $3.3 M
Texas $2.9 M
Bama $2.7 M
LSU $2.7 M
OU $2.5 M
Three schools that paid over $6 M for coaching?
Bama
OU
LSU
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:54 PM
I thot u were talking for this coming yr??? Oh well
Posted by: Nashvillecane | March 04, 2010 at 09:57 PM
soup,
I had three out of four but my refresh button screwed me, I used aqua as a shot in the dark cause i know he makes big dollars outside of being a rock star and sports analyzer
Posted by: solarcane | March 04, 2010 at 09:58 PM
so did i nash,
and jimbo fisher doesnt make more than aqua anyway
Posted by: solarcane | March 04, 2010 at 09:59 PM
ACC assistant coach salaries:
FSU $2.4 M
VT $2.0 M
UNC $1.9 M
Clemson $1.8 M
Maryland $1.8 M
NCST $1.6 M
GT $1.6 M
UVA $1.5 M
Duke and UM as private universities do not have to report.
Posted by: SOUP | March 04, 2010 at 09:59 PM