Hard Ball Rules

Head coach Jim Morris released the University of Miami’s 2017 baseball schedule Wednesday.

The Hurricanes, coming off their second straight College World Series trip and 25th in program history, feature 17 returners from a 2016 team that finished 50-14 overall and 21-7 in the ACC.

“It’s a very competitive schedule, just like last year’s,” Morris said. “It’s very tough, starting with the Atlantic Coast Conference and playing Florida out of the SEC, along with all the teams from South Florida. We’re playing just about everybody three or four times from down here. It’s another tough schedule.”

Three-time defending ACC Coastal Division champion Miami hosts 34 games inside the friendly confines of Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, where the Hurricanes finished 34-6 in 2015.

Rutgers (Feb. 17-19) arrives for the first regular season series of the spring before the Hurricanes travel to Gainesville, Fla., for their annual rivalry series with the Gators (Feb. 24-26).

Miami will also play crosstown foe FIU four times in 2017, splitting the games home and away. A classic home-and-home will take place March 7-8, when the Hurricanes host the Panthers in the first game and make the short drive to FIU Baseball Stadium for the second.

“All the teams down here are very good,” Morris said. “I expect FIU to be better now under their current coach. They’re tough games.Sometimes a team down here will hold their top guy back or No. 2 starter for us….it challenges our team to play good every day against everybody, not just ACC games. I spend a lot of time talking to our team about the importance of playing on Wednesdays, not just Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.”

Miami also battles FAU and FGCU three times, as well as single showdowns with St. Thomas and UCF.

ACC series include home matchups with Georgia Tech (March 10-12), Wake Forest (March 31-April 2), Duke (April 7-8), Florida State (April 21-23) and Virginia Tech (May 18-20). Road series include trips to NC State (March 17-19), North Carolina (March 24-26), Pittsburgh (April 14-16), Boston College (April 28-30) and Virginia (May 12-14).

In 2016, Miami won the ACC Regular Season Championship for the second time in the past three seasons, was ranked the No. 1 team nationwide during the regular season and earned the No. 3 national seed for the NCAA postseason.

“Coming to Miami from Day 1 was a tremendous challenge, following Coach Ron Fraser and what had been done in the past,” Morris said. “Every year is a new year, for me, for our players and for our fans. The expectations are very, very high. We have to go out and prove that we’re good this year. Next year we’ll have to go out and prove that we’re good next year. Every year is a new year, and we want to compete, we want to go to Omaha, and we want to have a chance to win.”

Comments

[WWIN]

Posted by: The Dude | December 17, 2016 at 03:39 PM

When did you see him... so you were keeping up with him at Texas and Miss State???

What made you want him?

[TruCane81]

If Brad goes he needs to pray to be drafted by New England.

The right situation could make him a pro bowler.

The wrong one will have him out of the league QUICK.

Bellichek would turn him into a monster as long as he can endure that culture and pressure.

[WWIN]

Blaming Diaz for Texas is like blaming Solinger for Coker.

Posted by: The Dude | December 17, 2016 at 03:41 PM

By this logic... someone needs to hire D'no so he can be the next great HC in the making... cuz you can't blame him for Golden right???

[WWIN]

Lots of things I've read.

Posted by: The Dude | December 17, 2016 at 03:34 PM

Did your own eyes tell you Kaaya > Trubisky???

[TonyCane]

I think the Patriots draft Njoku to replace Gronk next year.

[TruCane81]

Njoku would be a beast pick in the second round.

NE will pick late so he could be the first

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: WWIN | December 17, 2016 at 04:48 PM

Trubisky is a better NCAA QB. He has a better command of his offense. The offense at UNC is creative and plays to what he can do. Fedora > Richt at creating an offense. But we're talking about the NFL here. Kaaya is a better NFL QB than Trubisky in that his arm is stronger, his delivery is quicker and he makes more difficult throws. Trubisky hits a bunch of wide open dudes and will never run like he does now in the NFL. When he's forced to make tight throws from the pocket by NFL teams, he'll struggle.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: WWIN | December 17, 2016 at 04:43 PM

Except Diaz was fired and then rebounded well at Miss St., so there goes that logic. With AG it was all about cronyism.

[WWIN]

Posted by: The Dude | December 17, 2016 at 06:03 PM

Yeah but Kaaya misses wide open dudes, gets rattled EASILY, and can't run at all! And doesn't throw a good deep ball. What do you think is going to happen to Kaaya after a couple of hits in the NFL... he's took hits here that has effected him for several games???

[WWIN]

Posted by: The Dude | December 17, 2016 at 06:05 PM

No sir... my logic is very much in play 😂😂😂

On your logic... someone SHOULD hire D'no because it wasn't his fault

[WWIN]

TD... had you been a Texas fan you would have wanted Diaz fired right after the BYU game and you know it!

C'mon now... I'm a fellow horseman... you know I know ya! 😂

[VA Cane]

I tnink BK is smart, has a good arm, can make the throws, if he had a good OL he would be better....and can be taught. His feet are heavy and slow...does not move well...not fast but TB is not fast....does not read well, throws into coverage, and misses open guys. He is nervous in the pocket....and he has to do that in the NFL. There is no real read option in the NFL as a regular offense....those guys...Kap RG are history....ineffective and irrelevant. Wilson is good...but this year being banged up having to run for his life his OL is terrible....he has had a off year.

BK is not ready for the NFL at all...he needs another year of coaching....need good QB coach, Richt needs to teach him personally....get an real OC Richt is average. Even at GA anybody can run run run...he just had good ones....he is so foreign to the pass....sad he was a QB.

Curious if BK has been to the NFL guru camp....the guy in CA I think....he develops and teaches QBs...you see him on ESPN some...African American guy who is really really good....his drills and ideas are incredible...like holding brooms up to make you throw over them. I use his stuff....I cannot call him name....but he is fantastic...just cannot call his name. Anybody know who I mean? Brad needs a lot of work but he can do good things.

[VA Cane]

Gronk...back problems....they are hard to heal you cannot immobilize the back easily....my leg sure is....but as great as he is...he may not ever get back. Njoku has that skill set....and body wise he is not as big...but I think he has more natural athletic moves....he is a natural...

[Terrance Sullivan]

George Whitfield is his name VA

[VA Cane]

Brandon Marshall great guy receiver....human being.
I remember how he used to be....he was a troublemaker....but he got help for the personality disorder....and he does a lot of great things for adults...and kids and puts himself out front...a face that shows that it is ok to get help....you need to do it.

He is a fine receiver....but a greater man....I admire his work as he does it everywhere. Nice story nice man.

[VA Cane]

I new someone would know it...TSully you are the man. Mr Whitfield is fantastic....he really knows his stuff....and has taught many great QBS......Kayaa would be wise to reach out to him....and learn how to correct and overcome his issues.

TSully, if you ever move to VA....it was about 14 degrees last night....you will be a fantastic addition to my staff....heck I would coach under you!!!!

You are a true gem of this blog....along with so many of the others ....Dude, CR, CoCane, Big Windy, WWIN, Happy Soup.....so many I cannot name you all....I know this....we all know a lot of things about this game and team.....and yes we point out a lot of things....but we do know....hope staff reads some of you folks comments....it would help!!!!!

Thanks T. Sully!!

[Terrance Sullivan]

U welcome VA. Keep molding young kids to become great men. U are a treasure.

[TonyCane]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/acc-fines-louisville-virginia-tech-for-role-in-wake-scandal/ar-AAlGQsa?li=BBnb7Kz

Isn't this an NCAA violation as well? And if so, shouldn't Louisville and VA Tech face sanctions?

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: WWIN | December 17, 2016 at 06:23 PM

I'm not gonna get sucked into a big back and forth on it bro. If Trubisky is the best QB available... I think Kaaya is better than him for the NFL. Every QB that Ive seen talked about has plus & minuses. I dont think Kaaya is the best NFL prospect in college right now so dont get me twisted either. If he plays like he did against Pitt, against WV his stock will rise a bunch. If he plays like that all year, next year we'll win a bunch of games.

[Herbieibis]

Trubinski is true system qb. Kaaya would get smoked in the pocket. Hell he couldn't dodge a beach ball. He moves like he just took a dump in his draws.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: Herbieibis | December 17, 2016 at 09:53 PM

Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers, Carson Palmer, etc. None of them can move. The key for Kaaya is knowing his OL calls and WR reads.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

App State won a bowl. Brad Kaaya has beaten a team that won a bowl.

[TruCane81]

Trubinski is true system qb. Kaaya would get smoked in the pocket. Hell he couldn't dodge a beach ball. He moves like he just took a dump in his draws.

Posted by: Herbieibis | December 17, 2016 at 09:53 PM

We have seen flashes of really good footwork from him.

I think all the bad hits he has taken have affected his poise, the true cause of his footwork issues.

Another year will help him immensely if he is a maniac about his mechanics.

His footwork is MUCH quicker than his average play shows. He needs more poise and focus.

[Go Canes!]

Kaaya certainly had had a combo of happy feet st times, coupled with hero holds, trying to extend plays instead of unloading.

Think the combination of poor decisions, poor play calling, new system, losing BOTH his top receivers and bad offensive line play all hurt early.

Think the second half of the season showed what he and this offense can and will continue to do if he sticks around.

Really hope we get one more year with him.

[TruCane81]

Heavy on the 3 step drop and he will be a heisman finalist 2017.

Its up to you Coach Richt.

[WWIN]

^^^^^^
He gone!

[VA Cane]

I think he stays....someone crappy would possibly draft him...he knows that.....Richt and experts....not fucking idiots Kiper,Jr. and McShay....why they are on ESPN....or any show I do not know....have to have told him he is not ready....Talking heads on our games talked about how good he was.......not true at all....serviceable can do some things....but not a really good QB yet....there are a few....Watson is ok but he is a run guy...not a really good passer....Bama kid can run...but not strong....even the guy at Washington is ok....not a lot of good QBs....and NFL teams have t have a good QB...cannot win without!!

[VA Cane]

He moves like he just took a dump in his draws.

LOL!!! Herbie....as hard as he got rocked, those drawers are brown!!!!!! He got the shit knocked out of hm for sure!!!!

He should stay....I do like him and he can be developed....NFL will eat him alive!!!

[SOUP]

Yeah but Kaaya misses wide open dudes, gets rattled EASILY, and can't run at all! And doesn't throw a good deep ball.

Posted by: WWIN | December 17, 2016 at 06:23 PM

Nope, #1 QB and first round draft pick.

[SOUP]

App State won a bowl. Brad Kaaya has beaten a team that won a bowl.

Posted by: The Dude | December 17, 2016 at 10:19 PM

Best QB in UM history.

Most yadrs passing tells the story.

[Go Canes!]

Who exactly is saying anything like he's a #1 pick and the best in team history?

No one on here that I've seen.

Think it's unanimous on here he'd be better served by staying one more year here refining his game and working on his flaws under CMR.

Well except for Sinister who'd rather start anyone else.

[BigWindyCane1]

When I saw Kaaya play the first few games against weaker teams, I could see the improvement in his game. Kaaya throws a beautiful ball when he has time. I was a little troubled by his inability to read the defense and connect on certain throws. I also think it took him a while to figure out that Richards was his #1 receiver, not Coley.

Then, came the next four games and Kaaya's struggled. Pressure on the passer wasn't the only problem. A lack of Confidence in what he was doing in the offense was evident. Another year would benefit Kaaya tremendously. His offensive line will be less experienced, but vastly more talented with Donaldson and Brown added to the mix. Walton will be better, and Hendon and the other tight ends will also be better. This season's offense actually scored more points than West Virginia did. The offense next year can be very special with Kaaya returning.

The Canes really need to get a win in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The Canes are favored by Las Vegas and the ESPN Power indent gives the Canes a 56% chance of winning. The Canes that finished the season could beat many of the teams in the top 25 today. A solid win should put them in the top 25, and provide a lot of momentum heading into national signing day and into next season.

[BigWindyCane1]

It is possible that if Kaaya returns after a strong Bowl game, the Canes might be favored by a touchdown or more in every game next season, except FSU

[CGNC]

Trubinski is true system qb. Kaaya would get smoked in the pocket. Hell he couldn't dodge a beach ball. He moves like he just took a dump in his draws.

Posted by: Herbieibis | December 17, 2016 at 09:53 PM

Again Herbie, FUNNY!!!

[CGNC]

Hi Roach! Going to any home games next year?

[SOUP]

Think it's unanimous on here Kaaya be better served by staying one more year here refining his game and working on his flaws under CMR.

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 18, 2016 at 07:17 AM

Agree 100%.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

My only point is that if Trubinsky is the best QB available, I'd rather have Kaaya.

[Go Canes!]

That kid at UNC is damn good.

[WWIN]

^^^^^^^
So Trubisky is better than Watson and Kizer???

[WWIN]

Nope, #1 QB and first round draft pick.

Posted by: HAPPY SOUP | December 18, 2016 at 02:12 AM

Sorry I almost forgot about that! He played like a 1st round draft pick all season long and whoever drafts him first round will be lucky!

[SinisterCane]

Well except for Sinister who'd rather start anyone else.

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 18, 2016 at 07:17 AM

At least we agree on something

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: WWIN | December 18, 2016 at 11:42 AM

Beat that straw man.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 18, 2016 at 11:39 AM

I disagree.

[SinisterCane]

The Space is hilarious so Kaaya needs to return for a 4th yr to have an better standing in the draft. Who does this help Kaaya or Miami? If it didn't happen in his first 3 millions starts it ain't happening next yr either. Kaaya represents the last remaining cancerous cell from tha Faiden era

[Go Canes!]

Trubisky's overall numbers are better than any of the QBs being discussed.

If you equaled out attempts he'd have more yards, completions, TDs and a higher passer rating than all of them, all while having far fewer interceptions and an inferior cast around him.

He also makes plays with his legs which is huge in the NFL today.

I think he'll be a damn good NFL player.

[Go Canes!]

Posted by: SinisterCane | December 18, 2016 at 12:02Pm.

It absolutely helps both.

Kaaya gets even better and we keep what is by a gigantic margin our best option for winning.

It's a no brainer.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 18, 2016 at 12:21 PM

Thats all fine and dandy, but his college stats have very little to do with making NFL throws or the way those nice runs from him are set up. He can pick up a 1st with his legs, but he is not a real danger like Kap or others. His throwing motion is a long windup and his offense is very friendly to his abilities.

[SOUP]

NEW BLOG IS UP!