OK, the time has come for you to go ahead and openly confess it right now.
We all know that way back in early November, back when you were sitting around thinking about the Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team as they were just starting the 2012-13 college basketball season, your only thoughts were something along the lines of:
"I sure hope UM can just hold their own this year in the always tough ACC."
Well, don't look now but your Miami Hurricanes sit all alone in rarefied air at the very top of the ACC with a perfect 10-0 record.
Not only are they "holding their own" against their conference rivals and are clearly the best team in their conference, but are very possibly the very best team in the Country as of today.
Let me say it again just to make sure you heard me correctly: The Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team may simply be the BEST college basketball team in the United States.
That's right, I said it. But don't just take it from me, even the talking heads on the four letter sports network are saying it OUT LOUD to their national television audience watching the team in orange and green dominate like never before.
The U getting some serious love from ESPN? I know, who would have thunk it!
Before today's game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Bank United Center in lovely, balmy Coral Gables, the Hurricanes had already beaten FSU and Duke at home by 24 and 27 points respectively they had also badly beaten The Heels on the road by 9 points in another shocker.
But those wins paled in comparison to today's total and masterful domination of what was supposed to be one of the Nation's best teams in North Carolina. The Tar Heels and their high priced coach and their highly recruited players decided it would be nice to take a mid-Winter trip to sunny South Florida and wade into the clear blue waters of South Beach.
Unfortunately for the boys from Carolina they soon found themselves in some seriously deep water and suddenly discovered that they were also in way over their heads, stuck in a strong rip current and surrounded by several sharks that smelled blood in the water.
In front of another raucous, sold out crowd that included Miami Heat stars Lebron James and Dwayne Wade and their teammate and former Miami Hurricane James Jones, this Hurricane team put on a display of NBA-like basketball often seen down the road at the American Airlines Arena in Miami but rarely if ever seen before at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables.
Oh yeah, in all of the excitement and commotion, I almost forgot: The score!
Well suffice it to say that the local sharks (Hurricanes) first circled, then swarmed in, attacked and killed the helpless, tired and eventually lifeless swimmers from the Outer Banks (Tar Heels) by an incredible 26 points.
Final Score: Sharks 87, Swimmers 61.
Dang again
Posted by: Old Skool | February 09, 2013 at 05:28 PM
Dos
Posted by: NY Trooper | February 09, 2013 at 05:32 PM
LOVE the fast starts! (Wish our FB team could get the hang of that!)
Get on top and PLAY YOUR GAME!
Let's Go CANES!
Posted by: roachcane77 | February 09, 2013 at 05:33 PM
Yeah... the Heels got caught in a rip current alright!
(Love the Tina Turner title too SOUP.)
Posted by: roachcane77 | February 09, 2013 at 05:35 PM
U are good Roach, U are good.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 05:39 PM
Good job by these kids, they really look good today. Coach is a good one, they grabbed him from Mason. They really look strong. Maybe we ought to forget the lackluster football and baseball teams, and cheer on the Canes hoops team....they are doing a great job.
Posted by: VA Cane | February 09, 2013 at 05:41 PM
Great stuff 86.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 09, 2013 at 05:42 PM
Lets go Canes !!!! football team needs to take notice
Posted by: JRamos | February 09, 2013 at 05:44 PM
Nice article! I have to admit I thought UM was done when they lost to Florida Gulf Coast University! This run has been unreal!
The whole atmosphere with LeBron and D Wade and blowing out UNC and being 10-0 in the ACC reminded of an old school UM football game in The Orange Bowl!
When UM is kicking everyone loves it!
Go 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | February 09, 2013 at 05:45 PM
Skool...glad U are around, I have a scouting update for U re: our planned Bass fishing trip to Lake Istokpoga near Sebring/Lake Placid.
1. The Lake is BIG and VERY beautiful.
2. I drove to the marina we are leaving from and it is 1:15 minutes from my house.
3. I talked to the marina operator there and he HIGHLY recommended the guide we are going with.
4. I fished a couple of places for about an hour total and caught one 3 LB bass.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 05:45 PM
May be my personal favorite article ever. I absolutely LOVE this team and what they have accomplished. The Pimp has it goin on!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 05:50 PM
Power is back on!!!! Go canes bballl beastsssssss
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | February 09, 2013 at 06:24 PM
86, no luck on the AJ signature, huh? Saw my pic I mailed U was in the box of goodies
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 09, 2013 at 07:13 PM
CANES on Sportscenter NEXT!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 09, 2013 at 07:14 PM
Skool...glad U are around, I have a scouting update for U re: our planned Bass fishing trip to Lake Istokpoga near Sebring/Lake Placid.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 05:45 PM
Dude, that is one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever Airboated. Huge bald cypress on the eastern shore, thousands of acres of poinsetta down canal at the south end, cool party island in the middle, and an old crashed drug runners airplane in the cattails on the western side.
Skools gonna love it.
Go Canes!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | February 09, 2013 at 07:40 PM
LOVE THE SHIRT! Thank you, 86!
Posted by: TonyCane | February 09, 2013 at 07:50 PM
Skools gonna love it.
Posted by: NativeCane | February 09, 2013 at 07:40 PM
He would love it even better if U would go with us and let us avoid the HEAVY guide price! LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 08:16 PM
LOVE THE SHIRT! Thank you, 86!
Posted by: TonyCane | February 09, 2013 at 07:50 PM
U got it the old fashioned way: U earned it!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 08:20 PM
Saw my pic I mailed U was in the box of goodies
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 09, 2013 at 07:13 PM
NO LUCK.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 08:22 PM
So with Kansas and Michigan both losing, UM may be Top 5, eh? That would sure be something.
Posted by: dj moonbat | February 09, 2013 at 08:35 PM
Great article, 86. A few trap games on the road could be dangerous, but the main games of danger in appearance on the schedule otherwise would be UVa (but at home) and Duke in N.C. on 3/2. After, it's really a matter of conference tnmt. outcomes to position for the tnmt (no longer a doubt of whether but what seed...and a #1 seed option is really in their court at this point).
I always seem to post right before the new blog comes up, which would save most the trouble of reading my long-winded comments. That being said, I'm re-posting my opinion about the amazing play of the team and where they'll rank:
Gotta love the passion the basketball team is playing with. Coming out with a big early lead, and especially that off the backboard pass on the breakaway by Larkin with just under 8 min. left. The announcers were talking up the U for consideration for being ranked #1, but even though they are arguably playing the best ball in the land right now they don't deserve to be #1 based on how the rankings work. There are 3 teams with only 2 losses still (Duke, Arizona, and Gonzaga). Even though Duke got whipped by the U, Arizona beat the U. Maybe U could make a case for being ranked ahead of a non power conference school like Gonzaga being behind the U, but they have a long hx of being a solid hoops school and haven't yet lost any conference games either. Frankly, if the U moves ahead of all of the schools that lost this week (FU, IU, KU and UMich), this would be a huge sign of respect by the pollsters. Normally this wouldn't be expected, but with a huge win on national tv today vs. a good, but not great, UNC, this 3 loss U team will likely still be rated as the highest 3 loss team in the land, which would be huge and put them at #4. This would be amazing! Even though IU lost on a fluky ending (blown coverage on an in-bound pass with 0.9 sec. left) and UMich lost because of an almost half-court shot 3 pointer at the buzzer by UW to go to OT, the U will likely move ahead of them with equal losses and a lesser basketball pedigree as a sign of major respect. Unless something else happens before Monday's polls come, expect #4 and be thrilled.
It's all about the U, baby!
Posted by: JCane | February 09, 2013 at 08:55 PM
JCane...just keep your posts coming. And in the future consider writing an article about the UM BB team? We need ALL the help we can get!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 08:59 PM
Sonny Odogwu is bigger than Malcolme Bunche.... LOL. http://t.co/KvMLWnus
PS - Bunche is 6'7 323! Odogwu is a MONSTER!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 09, 2013 at 09:11 PM
Odogwu is a MONSTER!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 09, 2013 at 09:11 PM
And a DT starting tomorrow!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 09:19 PM
Good news Soup. Just got back from Zero Dark Thirty. Very good flick.
Sounds like you're breaking in the lake early for us
As for the guide, if he can go even halfway toward matching that trip where they caught 30 bass - one that weighed in just over 13lbs and the majority that weighed 8 to 10lbs. I will be one happy camper.
Posted by: Old Skool | February 09, 2013 at 09:26 PM
Ya, no wonder his hands measure 12" from thumb to pinky... WOW!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 09, 2013 at 09:26 PM
Skool..we are set! The setting and the guide are GUARANTEED. The lake is to die for, and we just might if NativeCane gets involved. LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 09:30 PM
Miami is talk of the college basketball world. Vitale keeps talking about Miami during the Notre Dame vs Louisville game, and ESPN keeps putting different stats of them on the scroll...
Posted by: Mia Chi 'Cane '98 | February 09, 2013 at 10:35 PM
Great art. Soup! Watching John Salmons as I type. ;)
Posted by: j.w. | February 09, 2013 at 10:36 PM
Man, a James Jones sighting, the story I can tell. Too funny. He's probably sweating just a little that Salmons, Bland, Hemsley and the gang's run is going to be eclipsed pretty soon here.
Very concerned about how The Pimp's crew continues to deal with the success but it's nice to see Brown's hot hand was apparently contagious since their last pimp slapping, hope the elevator hasn't hit the top floor and only has one way to go from here for this team though.
I also still think finding a way to get Kadji, Reg and Gamble on the floor with the superstar back-court is something that will put this team on the untouchable level come postseason time.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | February 09, 2013 at 11:28 PM
All I can say about this Miami basketball team is they are in the midst's of a special season. I watch this team play and I think about a team like '76 Indiana and their great undefeated team under Bob Knight or teams that came out of nowhere like '83 NC State, '85 Villanova and '88 Kansas or the unknown of '06 George Mason and '10 and '11 Butler. All of these teams just had special seasons and I think this is where this Miami season is headed. There is a long way to go with a game at Duke which is very big, then the ACC tournament then the NCAA Tournament, but it just seems this is going to be one of those great stories you will remember for a long time. I hope I am right and I hope the Canes cut down the nets in Atlanta b/c right now, Miami has a once in a lifetime opportunity. This type of thing does not happen very often, enjoy it canes fans, that's all I can say, enjoy the ride!
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 09, 2013 at 11:28 PM
OK, I'll work on it. But I would check with your client again today just to see if he ain't happy with his current contract status after receiving the recent SWAG package he got yesterday. Im jus sayin.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 08, 2013 at 07:18 AM
You would think. My clients know my motto, "Its NEVER enuff". Lol
Posted by: WWIN | February 09, 2013 at 11:44 PM
Don't forget that in addition to Michigan, Kansas lost twice, Indiana lost and Florida lost. Duke is the only Top 5 team not to lose (... and we know what we did to them!) We should get some first place votes this week!
Posted by: HawaiiCane | February 09, 2013 at 11:54 PM
The Pimp and Crew Layed the Smackdown on the Tar Heels.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 10, 2013 at 12:18 AM
And a DT starting tomorrow!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 09:19 PM
Yeah?!
If so, and if He has the potential, then that's VERY! good news.
His b-ball background gives me reason for optimism.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 10, 2013 at 03:59 AM
Skools gonna love it.
Posted by: NativeCane | February 09, 2013 at 07:40 PM
He would love it even better if U would go with us and let us avoid the HEAVY guide price! LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 08:16 PM
U say when and I'll make it happen!
Go Canes!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | February 10, 2013 at 06:21 AM
Off Topic:
On google maps at the south end of Istokpoga look at the reddish hue of the land, the poinsettias are actually visible from space.
Go Canes!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | February 10, 2013 at 06:44 AM
Unless something else happens before Monday's polls come, expect #4 and be thrilled.
It's all about the U, baby!
Posted by: JCane | February 09, 2013 at 08:55 PM
U the man!
Go Canes!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | February 10, 2013 at 06:56 AM
Beware of Istokpoga, it was the demise of a group of Seminoles, now we're gonna send out a group of Canes.
Lake Istokpoga is a 28,000-acre (110 km2) freshwater lake in Highlands County, Florida. The oblong-shaped lake is 5 miles (8.0 km) wide by 10 miles (16 km) long. Despite its area, it is very shallow, with an average depth of only 4 feet (1.2 m). Maximum depth is 10 feet (3.0 m). As a result, boaters must be cautious to not become stranded in muck near the shore line. With such shallowness, this lake is extremely dangerous for boaters during windstorms, as the waves get quite high.
Istokpoga is Seminole Indian for "our people died there" because a group of Seminole Indians attempted to cross the lake and were bogged in the mire and swallowed by whirlpools.
Go Canes!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | February 10, 2013 at 07:09 AM
Native...Fear the tie? YES
Fear the Lake? NO
The lake better fear US!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2013 at 07:33 AM
Off to church to pray for The U, the new AD, the football team and the U men's basketball team. This stuff really works!
Back, back....gimmee some room.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2013 at 07:34 AM
Miami is the first team to beat Duke and UNC by 20 or more in the same year since 1974 lol
Posted by: UMike | February 10, 2013 at 08:22 AM
Regardless of the ranking, the Canes are the best team in college basketball and I am not saying that because I am a Canes fan. If they keep playing this way for the rest of the season, they will be favored to win the national champtionship this year.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 10, 2013 at 08:49 AM
Wow! I enjoy watching this Canes team play and I already a friendly bet that we make the sweet 16.
" please stay healthy and hungry Canes"
Posted by: Jack | February 10, 2013 at 09:53 AM
"have"
Posted by: Jack | February 10, 2013 at 09:54 AM
UNC was not ranked #4 coming into this game.
Posted by: Hassan | February 10, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Native...Old Skool and I are going with the guide on 2/24 to learn all the secret tricks on where, when, how to fish Lake Istokpoga.
Then we want to go again with you in March around the full moon, so 3/24, 3/25, 3/29 or 3/30 would work. Have U fished the Lake before or just gone air boating there?
Have U been to George Medard to boat/fish? I read they stocked the lake with 1,000s of bass last year and the year before?
Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2013 at 11:00 AM
Hassy...U are correct sir, thank U! Somehow, I got UNC confused with Duke which was at #4. I fixed the article.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2013 at 11:04 AM
From what I was hearing all night on espn, they were predicting us to be #1 on Monday!
Posted by: WWIN | February 10, 2013 at 11:56 AM
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8236949/ncaa-increases-minimum-eligibility-standards-division-student-athletes
This new NCAA rule may not impact the Canes much because they already have higher adminissions standards, but I wonder what impact this new eligibility rule will have on other colleges that recruit in South Florida.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 10, 2013 at 12:04 PM