The Knights Come To The Gables

Basketball: Miami vs UCF / Nov. 21, 2013 | 7 p.m.

Coral Gables, Fla. | BankUnited Center

TV: ESPN3
Radio: 560 WQAM | 90.5 WVUM | Sirius 93 | XM 191
Webcast: WQAM.com | wvum.org

Series: Miami leads 7-1

Miami 3-1
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Attending a Game at the BankUnited Center
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The Game

Miami returns to Coral Gables on Nov. 21 to face in-state foe UCF at 7 p.m. in the BankUnited Center. 

The Series

Miami is 7-1 in the all-time series against UCF, which dates back to the 1986-87 season. The Canes are 4-0 against the Knights at home, 0-1 at neutral sites and 3-0 on the road. Miami won the last match up against UCF, defeating the Knights, 72-50, on December 18, 2012 in Orlando.

The Broadcasts

Catch the game on ESPN3 with Mike Levine and Drew Nicholas making the call. Also check out the game on 560 WQAM Radio with Joe Zagacki (play-by-play) and Josh Darrow, as well as on Miami’s student station, 90.5 WVUM.

The Coach

Head coach Jim Larrañaga has a 522-355 overall record in his 30th season as a head coach. He is 52-21 in his third season at the University of Miami.

The Weather

Projected temperatures on game day: Coral Gables - 82/71. Orlando, Fla. - 82/67.

Up Next

Miami hits the road for four games, three in the Wooden Legacy in Anaheim, Calif., followed by the Big Ten / ACC Challenge game at Nebraska on Dec. 4. 

Miami Looks to Open 4-1 for Third-Straight Season

Miami has started the season 3-1 for the second-straight year. UM has opened both previous seasons under Coach L with a 4-1 record.

Canes Shoot 50 Percent in Four-Straight Halves

The Hurricanes have knocked down more than 50 percent of their shots in all four halves of the past two games. Miami was 26-51 (51%) from the field in the game at College of Charleston, knocking down 16-31 (51.6%) in the first period and 10-20 (50%) in the second. Miami hit 18-36 (50%) in the first half and 17-33 (51.5%) in the second stanza to drain 35-69 (50.7%) against Texas Southern. The Canes shot 31.1 percent against St. Francis and 39.1 percent against Georgia Southern to start the year.

Poise At The Line

The Canes knocked down 11-12 free throws on the road in Miami’s 16-point win in Charleston.UM started the season 24-31 (77.4%) against St. Francis and 25-29 (86.2%) against Georgia Southern.

Finding Rhythm Beyond The Arc

Miami has hit 54.8 percent (17-31) from distance in its past two games after opening the season 6-36 (16.7%) in its first two outings. Forward James Kelly leads the way with six treys, followed by five from reserve Davon Reed and four apiece from Rion Brown and Manu Lecomte.

Diversity At UM Extends to Court

Five Miami players speak English as a second language. Raphael Akpejiori - Two African languages. Mike Fernandez - Spanish (Cuban). Tonye Jekiri - African. Manu Lecomte - French. Angel Rodriguez - Spanish (Puerto Rican). UM is the academic home of nearly 1,700 foreign students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, from more than 110 countries as diverse as Peru, Pakistan, and Poland. Miami’s diversity also is evident in its full-time faculty, which is nearly 36 percent minority, making UM one of the most diverse major private research universities.

Comments

[Ohio_Cane]

BOOM!

[VA Cane]

2

[UpNorthCane27]

i got that Howard number

[UpNorthCane27]

I cnt stand ronaldo hes an asshole but he is a tremendous player.

[Ohio_Cane]

I don't like him, but man is he skilled.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great stuff. Lets Go Canes! Beat UCF!

[LA3]

Speaking on Cinny.....

Maybe someone should look at their D-Coach.
Art Kaufman!

Northwestern State (LB)
Northwestern State (DC/LB)
Ole Miss (OLB/DEs)
Louisiana Tech (DC/LB)
Ole Miss (DC/LB)
Arkansas Tech(DC/LBs)
East Carolina (DC/LBs)
Middle Tennessee (LBs)
Southern Miss (DL/ST)
North Carolina (LBs)
North Carolina (DC/LBs)
Texas Tech (DC)
Cincinnati (DC)

In 1995, he returned to Ole Miss as the new defensive coordinator under then first-time head coach Tommy Tuberville.[3] Kaufman remained at the position for two years after Tuberville's departure to Auburn. From 1997-2000 under his tenure, Ole Miss appeared in four straight bowl games: the 1997 Motor City Bowl, the 1998 Independence Bowl, the 1999 Independence Bowl, and the 2000 Music City Bowl.[5] Additionally, in 1999 Kaufman's defense ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense.[4]

He then coached the 2008 season as the defensive line and special teams coach for Southern Miss, before accepting a position once again as linebackers coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels.[4] Kaufman was promoted to defensive coordinator of the Tar Heels by interim head coach Everett Withers, filling the spot Withers had vacated upon the firing of head coach Butch Davis.[3] In the 2009 season, Kaufman was named to the list of finalists for the Broyles Award given to the top assistant in college football.[6]

Kaufman inherited a Red Raider defense ranked 114 out of 120 in total defense, and last in the country in rushing defense.[8] In the opening game of the 2012 season against the Northwestern State Demons, Kaufman's defense set a school record of only 84 yards allowed.[9] After the third game versus the New Mexico Lobos, the Red Raiders were 2nd in total defense in the country.[10] Following a bye the week of September 22, the Red Raiders rose to number 1 in total defense.[11] The Red Raiders maintained their number 1 ranking after a Week 5 defeat of their first Big 12 conference opponent, the Iowa State Cyclones. Kaufman's defense held the Cyclones to 189 yards of total offense.[12] Following this performance, Kaufman was named by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as the frontrunner for the Broyles Award.[13]

After a loss at home to the 14th ranked Oklahoma Sooners and an upset victory over 5th ranked West Virginia Mountaineers, Kaufman's defense ranked 4th in total yards allowed.[14] In the upset victory over West Virginia, the Red Raiders held Heisman Trophy-frontrunner Geno Smith to 275 yards, a passing efficiency rating of 100.71, and one touchdown pass.[15] The win marked the most lopsided victory over a top-5 opponent in school history, and marked the debut of the Red Raiders in the BCS rankings at number 17. Kaufman was again praised for the performance of the defense, with Bruce Feldman of CBS Sports also naming him as the frontrunner for the Broyles Award.[16]

He has been around. Played LB. Has been D CORD, LB, OLD, DE position coach... Mentioned 3X as Brolyles Award Finalist!

They are 8-2 Should be 10-0. Not saying they are great....not close...but this guy is diamond in the rough and has coached on some big stages...against for top tier teams and players.

[VfB_Cane]

I cnt stand ronaldo hes an asshole but he is a tremendous player.

Posted by: UpNorthCane | November 19, 2013 at 04:51 PM

Same could be said about Sweden's Ibrahimovic, who came up short against Ronaldo & Co. today.
Messi, on the other hand, is a soccer genius who also seems to be a decent guy off the field, which is rare.

[laquinton]

http://www.firemarkdonofrio.com/

It was only a matter of time

[SOUP]

Love me some Coach Larranaga!

[Montreal-Cane]

UCF will be a good test for the rebuilding Canes...Wear orange at the game.

Al Golden said Denzel Perryman will be back next year...He has so much more to learn...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x33RuYUxns

[Sebas13]

There also a Facebook page by the same name!!! And yes I like the page

[LB]

http://www.firemarkdonofrio.com/

+1.

[Montreal-Cane]

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Miami and Cincinnati will resume their football series next year in Florida, followed by the Hurricanes playing at newly renovated Nippert Stadium on the Bearcats' campus in 2015.

It's a series that goes back a long way.

The schools have played 11 times in a series that began in 1947. They played every year from 1982-89, when Miami was a Top 10 team much of the time, but haven't met since 1998. The Hurricanes have won 10 of the 11 games.

[CGNC]

Posted by: UpNorthCane | November 19, 2013 at 04:36 PM

I know, but he sat him for a little didn't he? Sends a message

[roachcane77]

Didn't you see/hear AG's presser today?

He is NOT abandoning his defensive philosophy, nor D'No… It's only lack of player talent… (In his mind.)

D'No's not going anywhere. Period.

Basically, he/they are satisfied that they're doing what's best, (with what they have to work with… )

Sad... but true.

[2002nemo]

If you are working hard on a game plan but the plan is hardly working, you must have the wrong plan or the wrong people doing the work (or both).

[Montreal-Cane]

9-3 was my prediction plus a bowl win.
The Canes will beat Virginia big time...
VS Pitt it will be much tougher depending on weather conditions. At least 75% of our players have never played on a frozen field.

[SOUP]

BE PREPARED TO BE ILL:

Nearly six years later, with three weeks remaining in the regular season, both teams are in control of their BCS-bowl destinies.

"I was raised on, Always have a plan and work your plan," said Cutcliffe. "When you believe it strongly enough, good things are going to happen."

On Saturday, Cutcliffe's Blue Devils did something that once would have been considered unimaginable. They beat the Hurricanes by being the more physical and athletic team. Duke rushed for a staggering 358 yards against a Miami team that was just two weeks removed from being ranked seventh in the AP Poll. The Blue Devils didn't seem remotely surprised by the result.

"We wanted to impose our will," redshirt junior running back Josh Snead said afterward. "We knew that the team that was going to win had to be the toughest team."

Duke, which has now beaten two ranked teams in a season (the Blue Devils beat then-No. 14 Virginia Tech 13-10 on Oct. 26) for the first time since 1971, plays its last two games this year on the road, against 4-6 Wake Forest on Nov. 23, and against 5-5 North Carolina on Nov. 30. According to Patrick Stevens of the Syracuse Post-Standard, there are currently 32 possible Coastal Division tiebreaker scenarios, but the Blue Devils would render them moot by winning out.

"We'd be honored to keep it easy on the ACC office," said Cutcliffe. "These guys know what's at stake."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20131117/baylor-duke-college-football-overtime/#ixzz2l8ykn51u

[SinisterCane]

Word on the Streetz

NOFENSE force to resign at the end of the season

[SOUP]

Negative. Not gonna happen.

[SinisterCane]

Negative. Not gonna happen.

Posted by: SOUP | November 19, 2013 at 08:17 PM

That the worse news all year, when he loses the remaining games the heat will shift from NOFENSE to him

[Account Deleted]

we lose to VA and Pitt and we won't have to force No'd to resign....he better be fired or AG will be going with him soon after.....

[Terrance Sullivan]

Shidddd if we lose to Virginia heads need to roll.

[SOUP]

Miami will NOT lose to UVA or Pitt or in the bowl game. All will be fine. Unless of course it is not and then we will deal with that when we have to.

Be patient young Danielson.

[SOUP]

Canes are after coNtinuity on both sides of the ball and the coaches will stick until the end one way or another. So hang in there Canes fans, it is gonna be a fun and bumpy ride!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Soup looking forward to it brotha.

[PapaCane1963]

its gonna be a disappointing and ditchy ride.

[Ohio_Cane]

Since we're 1.5 weeks out from the PITT game, let me ask U friends here:

WHO'S GONNA BE THERE REPPING THE CANES????

I AM!!

[Montreal-Cane]

Coach Golden was great on Hurricane Hotline tonight talking about the freshmen on special teams and the progress of some players who decided to stay for their senior season like Linder, Henderson, Hurns and others...

https://soundcloud.com/wqam

[WWIN]

5. By year 7 we will be in NC race.

That is all.

Posted by: SOUP | November 19, 2013 at 09:19 PM

Too long for me and OGV!! Lol

[WWIN]

Posted by: Montreal-Cane | November 19, 2013 at 10:34 PM

He always talks a good game, everything he says is Slogan!!!

[WWIN]

^^^^^
* everything he says is Golden!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

3. The D is on the 5 year plan due to recruiting issues from NCAA ivestigation.
----------------------------------------------------

I have said something similar to this multiple times. It is EXECUTION, and because of the lack of talent due to the lack of recruiting stemming from the NCAA fiasco, this is where we are. A defensive game plan that COULD work, IF IF IF the players could execute as one big group instead of 11 individuals.

Most, if not all Canes fans were happy when we beat Florida back when they had all their good players, and were also happy when we were 7-0.

Now we're not and lots are jumping ship.

Should we have lost to FSU? Yep. Their talent at the moment is superior to ours due to recruiting. Could we have beat them? Yep. See: halftime score. FSU's depth beat us in the 2nd half and execution ceased.

Should we have lost to VT and Duke? Hell no. But again, the execution wasn't there. Especially on D

[Yoopercane]

You are spot on! Execution is the key no doubt.

[Meast]

Much of the UM fan focus has centered squarely on defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio, who isn’t going anywhere barring a surprising change of heart by Al Golden. The biggest concern is not coaching but personnel, with worrisome issues already arising on next year’s projected depth chart.

On a defense that’s already deficient, UM will lose three of its top four defensive tackles, end Shayon Green (who was very productive until recently) and might lose junior linebacker Denzel Perryman, who said Tuesday he hasn’t made a decision about turning pro.

One recruit was quoted as saying UM coaches have said they expect to lose a junior linebacker to the pros, presumably Perryman.

Junior end Anthony Chickillo hasn’t made a final decision about his future, but his father believes he’s likely going to return for his senior year.

Those expecting a significant defensive improvement next season are likely to be disappointed, recruiting analyst Larry Blustein said.

“The defense could struggle again next season and give up chunks of yardage,” Blustein said. “Linebacker is not deep. They need to add junior college tackles that can come in immediately and play [California-based Michael Wyche will be one]. They’re teetering on basically the same situation next season. In two years, they will be in the BCS mix, a 10-11 win team.”

As one UM insider said, UM’s defense has nobody who does anything extraordinary, nobody who’s a consistent game-changer.

“Their biggest talent void is up front; they’re getting controlled on the line,” former UM assistant coach Don Soldinger said. But “they also need a guy in the secondary that’s a big-time guy like Antrel Rolle, that will lay the wood. They need a big-time linebacker.

“They have one guy at each position, but they don’t have two or three. It bothers me, because it doesn’t look like they’re in the right spots. They need guys that can run better. Their linebackers can’t make plays downhill; they’re too much east and west.”

Besides speed, UM also covets more size. The UM staff aspires for this unit to look more like a top-caliber SEC defense.

Buzz on where UM stands defensively beyond 2013:

### Defensive line: Tackle is a huge concern, with Curtis Porter, Luther Robinson and Justin Renfrow leaving. Olsen Pierre is the only proven player returning.

That’s problematic, because Earl Moore and Corey King “aren’t guys that can play at Miami,” said Elite Scouting’s Charles Fishbein, a local recruiting expert who’s close to the UM program. UM people tell us Jelani Hamilton also has been a disappointment, needs to get mentally tougher and apply what he’s being taught.

If the 277-pound Chickillo returns, “he either has to lose weight and stay at end or bulk up and move inside,” Fishbein said. UM is using him at both spots but he seldom gets a chance to rush on third down.

Golden and D’Onofrio raved about junior Ufomba Kamalu on Tuesday, and Golden said he projects as an end next season. He’s big (6-6, 285), “has a great skill set,” and can rush the passer, D’Onofrio said.

Fishbein believes a trio of four-star UM oral commitments --- defensive linemen Travonte Valentine, Anthony Moten and Chad Thomas --- can be big contributors immediately, though Soldinger said that’s an awful lot to expect from freshmen defensive linemen.

And this is worrisome: The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Tuesday that “the Tigers appear to be in very good position” to lure Valentine away from UM. (The writer of that piece also reportedly predicted LSU would land Artie Burns last season, which didn't happen.)

Valentine's coach at Hialeah Champagnat, Mike Tunsil, told me Valentine will visit LSU, Alabama and then Miami in January and that “right now he’s committed to UM,” but wouldn’t speculate on where he believes Valentine will end up. He did say that Valentine threw up the U sign at a game last week. He said Valentine is focused on his playoff game this week and “getting qualified” academically.

If Valentine comes to UM --– and he previously de-committed from Louisville and UF –-- then “these guys [Valentine, Moten, Thomas] are going to be better than what they have or anyone they’re losing,” Fishbein said. “There is not a guy on Miami’s defensive line who will play in the NFL except Chickillo. Valentine and Thomas have first-round talent. Valentine at 6-4, 320, is more physically impressive than anyone Miami has, and he moves like a running back.

“Moten has an NFL sized body, too, physically very imposing. Athletically, what he can do is scary. He’s the perfect 3-4 defensive end, and you won’t need as many d-linemen in a 3-4. That’s why I think next year they will be better defensively. And in two years, it will be very good.”

But Blustein disagrees. He said Valentine needs to get in better shape, and “next year, you would never compete with those [freshmen] kids. They’ll be manhandled.” Blustein does believe, however, that Miami Northwestern end Mike Smith, another UM oral commitment, will help the pass rush next year if used in measured doses; he could get some snaps at outside linebacker.

### Linebacker: Golden said he wants to play mostly a 3-4 defense “because it allows you to get more speed on the field at linebacker and attack more.”

A lot that happens with this unit next season hinges on whether Perryman returns; Golden made clear he needs another year of development.

Though freshman Al-Quadin Muhammad is listed as a defensive end, Golden said Tuesday he also envisions him as a natural 3-4 outside linebacker, along with Tyriq McCord.

But one reason Muhammad hasn’t had as much impact the past month is that he needs to expand his pass-rush moves, a UM official said. Both he and McCord also need to bulk up and develop against the run. Muhammad, who weights 240 pounds, “can be 252 next year,” Golden said.

Senior Jimmy Gaines, whose physical limitations have been painfully obvious the past three games, will be replaced in 2014 by Raphael Kirby, a gifted athlete who finds himself out of position at times and has just five tackles all season. “I like Kirby – he will have to take over for Jimmy [in 2014],” Golden said.

Four-star freshman Jermaine Grace has been limited almost entirely to special teams, and at less than 210 pounds, doesn’t project as a starter next year. “He can help us on third down,” D’Onofrio said. “We’ve asked him to put on weight.” But he's not ready to be the high-impact player some expected.

The hope is that Alex Figueroa emerges over the more limited Thurston Armbrister for another starting linebacker job next year. But Figueroa is injured, and Golden said Armbrister and senior Tyrone Cornelius have outplayed him.

There’s no four- or five-star linebackers in this 2014 UM class. Three-star Juwon Young and Terry McCray are pretty good prospects; LSU is making a serious push for McCray.

### Safety: UM expected more from Deon Bush (not running as well since hernia surgery in June) and Rayshawn Jenkins (three picks, but only 31 tackles).

The concern, especially with Jenkins, is that he’s “not affecting anyone going across the middle,” a UM insider said. “Receivers feel comfortable going across the middle against our safeties. There’s no violence in the secondary.”

Bush made two highlight-reel tackles in last year’s Virginia Tech game and has done nothing like that this season.

Jamal Carter and perhaps incoming Trayone Gray will replace departing AJ Highsmith and Kacy Rodgers, who have struggled.

### Cornerback: Should be UM’s deepest and best defensive position in 2014 with Tracy Howard, Artie Burns (coaches love him; see first-round type talent), Ladarius Gunter (serviceable), Corn Elder (earning more playing time) and Antonio Crawford (had a bunch of deflections during August practices but not during the season).

Note: We don't touch on every single one of UM's defensive oral commitment in this piece but will in columns this offseason.

Bottom line: UM needs more of its four- and five-star recruits to become high-impact game changers. Too many --- Ray-Ray Armstrong, Vaughn Telemaque, Marcus Forston and others --- have not, at least not consistently.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/#storylink=cpy

[AfriCane]

I believe in continuity too. That's y I have always claimed Shannon wasn't given enough time. Every time u start afresh, the new regime has to scrap the old & install their own system. That means starting from the beginning & loosing b4 u can win. It just takes time.
But @ the same time, I don't think duke could have beaten Florida @ full strength, UNC, Georgia Tech. So there's no way we should be loosing to them. There's no amount of rebuilding that should excuse loosing to duke.
And for those guaranteeing a UM win against virginia, I offer caution. No one thought we would loose to Duke either. U r setting your selves up for a big fall. @ this point, we should all take 7 wins & look forward to NSD.

[RCCF]

How Good do they Expect Kids to be if they ALWAYS deflect the problem to be the Kids…"no the play calls didn't suck, the kids were just in wrong places, and we really don't have the talent to run what I wanna run"….FIRE DNo

RCCF12%

[herbieibis]

How do you think your players feel, when the head coach says they don't have enough talent to win consistently. If you really wanted to know anything about the Canes woes, The Herb has been spelling it out for some time, way before the Herald, finally got around to being the bearer of bad News. Golden has gotten bitch slapped the last 2 years in recruiting on the defensive line and has to resort in taking scraps. I made a comment on hear last year about the smurf squad and all those 6'1 DT's that were on the roster: King, Ivery (since departed), Porter, & Moore and everybody was talking about how much Porter was going to help us, Yeah right! Has King even played this year? We better hope Valentine gets in because that's the kind of size we need. The LB crew, from the looks of things won't be getting that much help from this incoming class. It's bad in that area too but as bad as our line. We have no head hunters in the secondary and this is another area, especially at safety, that doesn't look like it's going to get to much help from the 2014 bunch either, so they are right it could be just as bad as last year and lest I forget, it doesn't help when we don't have any dam motivators or teachers as coaches on that side of the ball. Does it really look like these kids are playing for DENO? Golden is delusional, if he thinks we can keep playing this kind of defense, bend but don't break because what The Herb sees is nothing but broken. We can't stop a third down, we can't tackle, we can't get any kind of a pass rush, we can't stop the run or pass, what can they do right? Chicklo and Perrymen ain't even ready for the pros although it seems everyone that was average here turns out to be pretty good pros.

[herbieibis]

While The Herb is ranting, why are we even wasting Germaine Grace on special teams? All 205 lbs of him and a LB at that. Why waste a year of elligibilty, when he could RS and get bigger and stronger?

[AfriCane]

On 2nd thought, thinking back to the game; the players came out numb, without energy or life. They didn't seem like they wanted to play. Their body language was extremely lax. Even the offense that played descent didn't seem like they were into it. I don't think they were into it nor did they take Duke seriously @ all. What's on the coaches though is that they let them come out in the 2nd half with the same uninspired attitude.

[IraqiCane]

I couldn't agree more, I want to see the players come out PISSED OFF and showing some effing passion. And not that fake ass jumping around, I want to see the same passion that Tom Brady showed after he got robbed last week. Eat some dirt just something. I would welcome a unsportsman like conduct call for some hard hitting. Anything would be better than this pussified shit we are witnessing now. That soft weak ass zone "defense" seems to have infected the entire teams mentality. And it does come from the top down. Jimmy Johnson's teams might have lost a few, but they always showed up to inflict some pain/hate/hurt or just a general ass beating.

Anyway I'll stop with this incoherent rant. As much as I love the Canes I can't see them winning another game this year.

[SOUP]

NEW BLOG IS UP!

[Online dating]

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