Everybody knows that if while walking on South Beach you get some tar on your heels that you clean it with mineral spirits. It always comes right off.
And everybody also now knows that Miami guard Bruce Brown was not the least bit nervous for his first career matchup against top 10-ranked North Carolina. Apparently, the Boston native never got the text.
Brown was a one-man wrecking crew in the Hurricanes’ 77-62 victory over North Carolina Saturday afternoon at the Watsco Center. He finished the game with 30 points, connecting on 8-of-11 shots from the field as he helped propel the Hurricanes to a 77-62 victory. Brown’s 30-point performance was the most by a Miami freshman since UM joined the ACC in 2004-05.
Miami’s win over North Carolina handed the Hurricanes their first win over a top 10 team this season and the first over a top 10 opponent since the Hurricanes downed No. 3 Virginia last season.
The win was Miami’s fifth in its last seven meetings against the Tar Heels. The win also was the Hurricanes’ second-largest victory over the Tar Heels and their largest since 2013.
Teammates Ja’Quan Newton and Davon Reed also chipped in as they scored in double figures, finishing with 18 and 14 points, respectively.
The Hurricanes defeated North Carolina in nearly every statistical category including rebounds and points in the paint. UNC entered the game as the No. 1 rebounding team in the nation, averaging 45.9 rebounds per game.
The Hurricanes were also strong defensively as they forced the Tar Heels into 14 turnovers, blocked six shots and held UNC to a season-low 21 made field goals. North Carolina jumped out to an early lead in the first half as it outscored Miami 11-2 with 16:28 to go until halftime.
The Hurricanes responded in a big way over the next seven minutes as they went on a 24-5 run to take a 26-16 lead with 9:25 remaining until the break. Newton keyed the Hurricanes run as he scored six points during the stretch. Miami also was a perfect 3-for-3 from long range. Anthony Lawrence, Reed and Brown all connected from 3-point range.
Miami closed the half with a 10-4 spurt to take a 39-22 lead into the locker room. The Hurricanes were strong inside and in transition over the first 20 minutes of play as they held a 16-6 lead in points in the paint and an 8-0 advantage in fast break points.
Newton scored a game-high 14 points in the first half. Brown also finished in double figures as he scored 11 points, going 2-of-2 from the field and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
The Hurricanes came out firing in the second half as they opened up a 22-point lead with 14 minutes to go in the game. UNC trimmed Miami’s lead to 11 on two separate occasions, but the Tar Heels would get no closer as the Hurricanes captured their second straight win.
Miami returns to action on Wednesday as it welcomes No. 6/8 Florida State to the Watsco Center. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. and will be aired on the ACC Network.
Shakima Wimbley led the University of Miami track and field program to an impressive finish at the Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational.
Wimbley was a sight to see in the women’s 400m, winning the event with a world-leading time of 51.28 seconds. The senior set a school record and also broke the meet record with her NCAA-leading time.
“Today, I went out and executed my race,” WImbley said. “I listened to my coach and I was confident enough to follow through. We both knew if I put it together right that I’d do well and I did just that.”
Wimbley was one of three Hurricanes to place in the top eight in the women’s 400m, as sophomore Brittny Ellis finished fourth with a personal-best time of 53.05 seconds and senior Aiyanna Stiverne was eighth with a time of 53.39 seconds.
“We came out focused and ready to compete today,” Miami director of track and field/cross country Amy Deem said. “I am extremely pleased how we handled competing against some of the best teams in the country. They gained valuable experience this weekend which will go a long way in our continued pursuit of being a championship team.”
Henri Delauze mirrored Wimbley win in the women’s 400m with a victory in the men’s 400m. The junior circled the track twice in an indoor-best 47.42 seconds to improve upon his third-ranked time in school history.
Kristina Knott continued to blaze the track on Saturday, finishing third in the women’s 60m final with a time of 7.31 seconds that ranks fourth all-time in UM history. The junior reached the finals with a preliminary time of 7.35 seconds that was third fastest in the field of 36.
Playing its third consecutive road game the University of Miami men’s basketball team fell at No. 18 Duke, 70-58, Saturday evening.
Senior guard Davon Reed’s 19 points paced a trio of players who finished with double-digit points for Miami (12-6, 2-4 ACC) in a game televised on ESPN (College GameDay) from Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Miami used a strong defensive performance in the opening period to build an 18-11 advantage through 10 minutes of play.
Duke (14-4, 3-3 ACC) finished the first half with a season-low 25 points, as the Hurricanes forced the Blue Devils to miss all eight of their shots from beyond the arc.
Following a jumper by junior guard Ja’Quan Newton, Miami took its largest lead of the game, 35-23, and left for the locker room leading, 36-25.
Following the break, the Blue Devils jumped out to a 56-40 lead, after a 31-4 run that lasted until the 8:17 mark. Duke took its largest lead of the game, 66-45, following a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Luke Kennard, with 5:14 left to play.
Freshman forward Jayson Tatum led the way for the Blue Devils with 14 points, followed by senior guard Matt Jones (13), Kennard (11) and freshman guard Frank Jackson (10).
Miami outrebounded the Blue Devils, 36-34, but Duke outshot the Hurricanes 46.2 percent (24-of-52) to 40.0 percent (22-of-55).
Up next for the Hurricanes, a return to the Watsco Center against Boston College, Jan. 25 at 9 p.m.
To keep up with the University of Miami men’s basketball team on social media, follow @CanesHoops on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Setting the Scene: Miami vs Wake Forest Date: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017 Time: 8 p.m. Location: Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum | Winston-Salem, N.C.
Miami Hurricanes (12-4, 2-2 ACC) Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga Record at Miami: 130-61, sixth season ACC Record at Miami: 56-36 Career Record: 600-395, 33rd season
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (10-7, 1-4 ACC) Head Coach: Danny Manning Record at Wake Forest: 34-46, third season Career Record: 72-75, fifth season
Broadcasts TV: ACC Network - Dwayne Ballen, Dan Bonner Affiliates: http://theacc.co/mbb17accn0118a. In Florida: Tallahassee-Thomasville: FOX; Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce: My Network TV; Jacksonville, Panama City: This TV. Radio: 880 WZAB - Joe Zagacki Online: ACC Network Extra http://es.pn/2hqedGq
Series All-time: 8-10 Since rebirth in 1985-86: 8-9 Home: 6-2 Away: 1-8 Neutral: 1-0 Under Coach Larrañaga: 3-2 Coach L all-time vs. Wake Forest: 3-3 Current streak: Miami won 1. Last matchup: Jan. 23, 2016. No. 15/14 Miami won, 77-63. Last Wake Forest win: Feb. 11, 2015. 72-70.
Coach L Against the ACC In Larrañaga's six seasons in the ACC, Miami has at least a .500 record against 11 league opponents. UM has a .500 record or better at home against 12 teams and on the road against nine ACC squads. The Hurricanes have won a road game against all but three league opponents: Virginia (0-3), Wake Forest (0-2) and Louisville (0-1).
Larrañaga Wins 600th Career Game Coach Jim Larrañaga won his 600th career game at Pitt on Jan. 14, improving to a 600-395 mark in 33 seasons as a head coach. Larrañaga’s 600 wins place him at 47th in all-time NCAA victories and 14th among active coaches (as of games through Jan. 12). Of those 14, five are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, including four from the Atlantic Coast Conference. In his career, Coach L has won 27 games at American International, 170 at Bowling Green, 273 at George Mason and 130 at Miami. He is one of 15 coaches all-time with 100 or more wins at three D-I schools, four of whom are actively coaching. He is also 11th among active coaches in total games coached (995) and ninth in most seasons coached (33).
Miami Hits the Road for Three Straight Games The Hurricanes will play three consecutive games on the road, beginning with the win at Pittsburgh on Jan. 14, followed by the Jan. 18 match-up at Wake Forest, then the Jan. 21 game against Duke, which will be featured on ESPN's College Game Day.
Davon Reed scored 18 points, Bruce Brown added 17 and Ja'Quan Newton chipped in 14 as Miami blew out reeling Pittsburgh 72-46 on Saturday.
The Hurricanes (12-4, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) snapped a two-game losing streak by smothering the Panthers. The Hurricanes outrebounded Pitt 37-23 and held Pitt (12-6, 1-4) to just 34 percent shooting (18 of 53).
Jamel Artis led Pitt with 15 points a game after going for a career-high 43 in a loss to Louisville on Wednesday. Chris Jones scored 10 points for the Panthers, who have dropped three straight.
Pitt played without forward Ryan Luther, who sat out with an injured right foot. Senior forward Michael Young played with a mask on his face to protect his right eye. Young missed all 10 of his field goal attempts, his two points coming on a pair of free throws early in the second half.
Miami used a 14-0 run spanning the end of the first half and the beginning of the second to turn a competitive game into a blowout. The Panthers went 9:37 between field goals as Miami's advantage ballooned from 29-27 to 46-31.
The Hurricanes never came close to giving it up. After some early issues taking care of the ball, Miami effectively picked the Panthers apart defensively. The Hurricanes outscored Pitt 34-20 in the paint and converted Panther turnovers into 19 points at the other end of the floor.
With the win over Pittsburgh, Coach L earned his 600th career victory, posting a 600-395 mark in 33 seasons as a head coach. With 600 wins, he is one of five ACC coaches with 600 victories, and the other four men are in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Coach L has won 27 games at American International, 170 at Bowling Green, 273 at George Mason and 130 at Miami.
The University of Miami women’s tennis team checks in at No. 12 in the nation in the pre-spring ITA rankings to begin 2017.
In addition, the Hurricanes have a trio of players in the top 70, headlined by junior Sinead Lohan placing sixth, and one doubles pair in the top 50.
"I think this is a fair start for our team. This year is about taking the next step–we have the talent." Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. "My vibe on this team is that they are going to die for their friends. They are more than teammates this year which is going to have a huge impact."
Miami, one of five ACC teams in the top 25, is ranked in the top 12 to start the spring for the seventh time in the last eight years.
The Hurricanes are coming off a 21-6 (12-2 ACC) showing in 2015-16, reaching the Sweet 16 for the 11th consecutive season and finishing in the top 15 for the 13th consecutive season. Miami ended the campaign ranked No. 10, its eighth top-10 finish in the past 11 years.
Individually, Sinead Lohan, at sixth nationally, is the second-highest ranked player in the ACC and the second-highest ranked junior in the country. Lohan, who went 11-3 in the fall with six wins over top-45 opponents, is ranked in the top 10 for the 13th straight time, a streak that dates back to the opening 2016 rankings. She was fifth in the nation this past fall.
Along with Lohan, redshirt senior Maci Epstein is ranked No. 69 in singles and freshman Estela Perez-Somarriba is ranked No. 70. Of the players who are now ranked but were not in the fall, they are among the top 20 on the list.
For Epstein, who went 10-6 in the fall and reached the semifinals at the ITA Southeast Regional Championships, the No. 69 mark is the best of her collegiate career. Her prior top mark came in 2015 when she reached No. 102 nationally.
Just three Canespacers support UM women's tennis in any real way.
Yet only 11 freshmen in the country are ranked higher than Perez-Somarriba, including just four in the ACC. The Madrid native posted a 7-3 mark in the fall to begin her career at Miami.
The Hurricanes are one of 12 teams, including one of three in the ACC, with at least three ranked singles players. There are just nine teams, with two hailing from the ACC, that have at least three singles players in the top 70.
Here's a complete breakdown of players who transferred out, did not qualify, and were removed from the Hurricanes within two seasons for each class:
2002: QB Marc Guillon (4 stars) last year 2003 TE Curtis Justus (4 stars) last year 2003 DE John Wood (4 stars) last year 2002 DB Terrell Walden (4 stars) did not qualify LB Nate Harris (4 stars) did not qualify RB J.R Mounts (4 stars) did not qualify LB Antonio Reynolds(3 stars) did not qualify
2003: DE Alton Wright (3 stars) Last year 2004 LB Ali Highsmith (3 stars) did not qualify
2004: RB Bobby Washington (4 stars) last year 2004 OL Tyler McMeans (5 stars) last year 2004 OL John St. Pierre (2 stars) last year 2005 DB Rashaun Jones (3 stars) last year 2005 DB Lovon Ponder (4 stars) last year 2005 LB Willie Williams (5 stars) last year 2005 OL Josh Kerr (2 stars) did not qualify TE Cedric Hill (2 stars) did not qualify
2005: None
2006: WR George Robinson (2 stars) last season '06 DE Chris Lewis (3 stars) last season 2006 DT Chaz Washington (3 stars) last season '06 QB Daniel Stegall (2 stars) went to baseball
2007: DB Doug Wiggins (4 stars) last season 2007 TE Dan Adderley (2 stars) last season 2008 RB Shawnbrey McNeal (3 stars)last season '08 DT Chris Perry (3 stars) last season 2008 QB Robert Marve (4 stars) last season 2008 WR Jermaine McKenzie (4 stars)last season 08
2008: QB Taylor Cook (2 stars) last season 2008 LB Zach Kane (2 stars) last season 2008 LB Brandon Marti (2 stars) last season 2008 LB Gavin Hardin (3 stars) last season 2008 LB Antonio Harper (3 stars) last season 2008 QB Cannon Smith (3 stars) last season 2008 DB Joe Wylie (3 stars) last season 2008 WR Thearon Collier (3 stars) last season '09 LB Arthur Brown (5 stars) last season 2009 LB C.J. Odom (2 stars) did not qualify
2009: TE Stephen Plein (2 stars) last season 2009 DB Jamal Reid (4 stars) last season 2009 DB Prince Kent (3 stars) did not qualify
2010: LB Travis Williams (4 stars) last season '10 DT Jeffery Brown (2 stars) last season 2010 OL Jermaine Barton (3 stars) last season '10 DB Devont'a Davis (3 stars) last season '10 LB Kevin Nelson (3 stars) last season 2010 RB Storm Johnson (4 stars) last season 2010 RB Darion Hall (3 stars) last season 2011 DB Keion Payne (3 stars) last season 2011 DE Andrew Tallman (3 stars) last season 2011 DT Tavadis Glenn (4 stars) did not qualify WR Jeremy Davis (3 stars) did not qualify DT Delmar Taylor (3 stars) did not qualify
2011: DE Jalen Grimble (4 stars) last season 2012 DB Thomas Finnie (3 stars) last season 2012 LB Eddie Johnson (3 stars) last season 2012 LB Gionni Paul (3 stars) last season 2012 DE Ricardo Williams (3 stars)last season '12 LB Antonio Kinard (3 stars) did not qualify RB Kevin Grooms (3 stars) did not qualify
2012: DT Jacoby Briscoe (3 stars) last season 2012 WR Jontavious Carter (3 stars)last season'12 DB Vernon Davis (3 stars) last season 2012 QB Preston Dewey (3 stars) last season 2012 RB Danny Dillard (3 stars) last season 2012 DT Dequan Ivery (3 stars) last season 2012 DE Gabriel Terry (3 stars) last season 2012 QB David Thompson (3 stars) last season 2012 LB Josh Witt (3 stars) last season 2012 WR Robert Lockhart (4 stars)last season 2012 LB Jawand Blue (3 stars) last season 2013 DB Nate Dortch (3 stars) last season 2013 DE Dwayne Hoilett (3 stars) last season 2013 DB Larry Hope (3 stars) last season 2013 WR Angelo Jean-Louis(4 stars)did not qualify
2013: QB Kevin Olsen (4 stars) last season 2013 RB Ray Lewis III (3 stars) last season 2014 LB Devante Bond (3 stars) did not qualify WR Derrick Griffin (4 stars) did not qualify TE Ryheem Lockley (3 stars) did not qualify
2014: DT Calvin Heurtelou (3 stars) last season 15 OL Joe Brown last season 2015 WR Tyre Brady (3 stars) last season 2015 LB Marques Gayot (3 stars) last season 2015 DT Michael Wyche (3 stars) last season 2015 LB Juwon Young (3 stars) last season 2015 OL Tyler Grimsley (2 stars) last season 2015 DB Kiy Hester (4 stars) did not play
2015: None
2016: WR Sam Bruce (4 stars) last season 2016
Bottom line - UM had a very high roster churn in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2016 has played havoc with overall depth. It's really unbelievable how many attrition has taken place in the last ten years.
University of Miami head coach Mark Richt met with the media on Thursday for his end-of-the-year press conference. In his first season at Miami, Richt guided the Hurricanes to a 9-4 record and the program's first bowl win since 2006.
On the quarterback battle coming into the 2017 season…
“Well first of all, everyone has got a shot at it. A lot of guys have already taken reps. I can’t really make comment about kids that aren’t on our campus or have not signed, so I can’t really talk about any of the future guys, but we are definitely excited about competition – that tends to bring out the best in people. I think when guys are competing and they know that there is a realistic shot of not only being second team, but being a starter, it changes things for guys. We are just looking forward to seeing that competition come about and we’ll learn more as time goes on.”
On whether Gus Edwards or Courtel Jenkins may transfer…
“I don’t know if they are or not. Neither one of them have come to me and mentioned anything about it to me. This is the time of year to where kids look at their situations and try to decide what’s best for them. I’m not saying that they are not considering it, but I’ve not spoken to either one of them and neither one of them have come to me with anything.”
On how recruits are presented the team’s current quarterback situation…
“The thing is when you play with a veteran quarterback as a freshman, you don’t play with a veteran quarterback when it means the most to you in your career. You would like to have a quarterback who is seasoned when you are going to be a third or a fourth year player. The big thing that they need to understand is that there is a tremendous talent base within this quarterback group and that whoever rises will get the ball to you and help you showcase the things that you can do within the team concept. If you have a guy who is going to be there one or two years and then you are breaking in a freshman your junior year that’s probably not the best scenario. There is a good chance that whoever gets the job can grow with whoever comes in as the receiver.”
On his thoughts of the 2016 season…
“I guess it is kind of two fold. In one sense, I really feel like we gained a lot of ground on becoming great and (became) a team that could handle adversity, go through the tough times of the midseason and come out of it with five victories and a bowl victory. A lot of positive things happened throughout the season - especially towards the end and I thought that was a very good sign, but then you look back and you kind of kick yourself here and there. It’s a learning experience for everybody and I just feel like we did a lot of great things. I think we have created a good foundation and created a good bit of momentum to go into the 2017 season and I’m looking forward to these guys becoming great.”
On the growth of quarterback Jack Allison…
“Well first of all, he had every opportunity to move into the second team job. We weren’t going to sit here and say that everybody was trying to beat out Brad today. That was not a very realistic thing to say. Everybody knew there was a battle for second team and he was in town and he had an opportunity to do that, but in my opinion, he wasn’t ready for that position. Now he has been with us for a full year and he knows a lot more about the system and he knows a lot more is at stake, so I’m expecting him to compete well.”
On whether Miami’s front seven can do even better next season…
“Well, I think if everybody comes back with the right attitude of turning it up a notch from what we did last off-season and getting into the best shape possible and continue to play hard, we’ll be in good shape. It’s a good bunch.”
On having a full year to go through the recruiting process…
“I think it’s always good to have a whole year during the recruiting process and it’s even better to have two or three years ahead of it because you are locating kids in the ninth, 10th and 11th grade. We are creating relationships with young kids that will pay off further down the road. I think it is definitely a better situation than it was a year ago.”