Canespace

Lady Canes Go Back To Back

The University of Miami women’s track and field team went to the 2017 ACC Indoor Championships and left as champions for the second straight year.

After winning a year ago by just one point, the Hurricanes defended their 2016 ACC indoor championship in dominant fashion. Miami defeated Clemson by 15 points, scoring 113 points to secure its fourth ACC indoor women's team championship in program history.

“It was awesome,” UM director of track and field Amy Deem said. “They came in with a purpose and a focus. I kept waiting for the bubble to kind of burst – not that I didn’t have confidence in what we could do, but we were just kind of hitting on all cylinders. I am so pleased with the way they handled themselves and their composure and determination to repeat as ACC champions.”

The Canes eclipsed 100 points for the first time since scoring 117 in their 2006 ACC title performance. Miami also won back-to-back ACC indoor championships for the second time in program history, joining the 2005-06 consecutive team titles. With the victory, Deem is the active leader in ACC women’s indoor team titles with four.

“I’m just excited for the team,” Deem said. “I don’t really think about stuff like that, but it’s awesome. I hope it’s an inspiration for the young females out there. It’s tough to be a coach, whether you’re a man or a woman, but hopefully it gives inspiration to women that want to be head coaches.”

Shakima Wimbley made history on Saturday, becoming the first woman in ACC history to win four titles in a single event. The superstar senior, who was named ACC Women’s Track MVP for the second straight year, won her fourth consecutive indoor 200m title with a personal-best time of 22.83 seconds that set an ACC Championship record and ranks third in UM history.

“I’m grateful,” Wimbley said. “I put in a lot of hard work. I trusted in myself and in my training. I trained hard and I went for it. I just keep it simple. I go through my steps, set my blocks, talk about my race plan, mentally and physically prepare and I just go out and do what I can. I don’t really get pressured too easily. I just go out and do what I need to do.”

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IT'S HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGEEEE!!!

Ask What Brown Can Do For U

One thing is clear about Bruce Brown. The Miami freshman does not shy away from the big stage on his home court.

In front of a nationally-televised audience and a sellout crowd at the Watsco Center, Brown led the Hurricanes to a 55-50 victory over No. 10/11 Duke Saturday afternoon as he scored a game-high 25 points.

“He’s (Bruce Brown) not caught up in hype,” head coach Jim Larrañaga said. “What he is all about is doing the best he can do on the court and off the court. People who meet him embrace him, because he smiles. He’s happy and that’s the way his teammates feel about him.”

The Boston native connected on 11-of-18 shots from the field, pulled down four rebounds, had a pair of steals and had two blocks to help propel the Hurricanes to their fourth straight win and their 14th win at home this season.

“Honestly I think I’ve been playing in big time games my whole life, whether it’s AAU or high school,” Brown said. “I play the same way I play every game.”

Brown’s 25-point effort marked the second time this season he has surpassed 20 points. The first came against North Carolina as he poured in a career-high 30 points back on Jan. 28.

“He’s (Bruce Brown) an outstanding player,” Krzyzewski said. “Our defense was not bad, he made tough plays to score.”

During the Hurricanes’ four-game winning streak, Miami has held each of its opponents to under 70 points, including Duke, which came into the game averaging 81.7 points per contest. Duke’s 50-point output was its lowest scoring total of the year.

“They’re finding a way to overcome whatever the obstacles are and play at a high level, especially at the defensive end of the floor and rebounding,” Larrañaga said. “I thought our team defense was really really good today.”

With the win, Larrañaga continued his success against Duke as he improved to 5-3 against the Blue Devils. Prior to Coach L’s arrival, the Canes were 2-15 against Duke. The win also handed the Hurricanes their 20th win on the year.

Prior to the game, Miami honored seniors Davon Reed and Kamari Murphy. Reed finished with nine points and pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, while Murphy added seven points and recorded six rebounds.

The Devils Went Down To Florida

Setting the Scene
Date: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Watsco Center | Coral Gables, Fla.

RV Miami Hurricanes (19-8, 9-6 ACC)
Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga
Record at Miami: 137-65, sixth season
ACC Record at Miami: 63-40
Career Record: 607-399, 33rd season

10/11 Duke Blue Devils (22-6, 10-5 ACC)
Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
Record at Duke: 992-268, 37th season
Career Record: 1,065-327, 42nd season

Broadcasts
TV: CBS - Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill
Radio: 560 WQAM, Sirius 81, XM 81, Internet 81 - Joe Zagacki
1040 Actualidad - Pepe “Chamby” Campos, Jose Martinez & Daniel Ramirez
Compass Media Network - Gregg Daniels, Rick Mahorn
Online: CBSSports.com - http://cbsprt.co/2lH0WvF

Series
All-time: 6-18
Since rebirth in 1985-86: 5-18
Home: 4-7
Away: 2-9
Neutral: 0-2
Under Coach Larrañaga: 4-3
Coach L all-time vs. Duke: 4-4
Current streak: Duke won 1.
Last matchup: Jan. 21, 2017. No. 18 Duke def. Miami 70-58
Last Miami win: Jan. 25, 2016. No. 15/16 Miami def. No. 24/20 Duke 80-69.

Prior to the Game
Miami will honor seniors Davon Reed and Kamari Murphy at 3:45 p.m., prior to the 4 p.m. tip.

The Series - Miami vs. Duke
Coach L is 4-3 against Duke during his tenure as head coach at Miami. Prior to his arrival, the Canes were 2-15 against the Blue Devils.

Since Coach L took over at Miami in 2011, the Hurricanes have two wins at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Only UM and UNC (also two wins at Duke) can claim more than one win at Cameron Indoor during that time.
Davon Reed scored 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting in last season’s 80-69 win over Duke. Ja’Quan Newton had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in last year’s win vs. Duke. That was the first time in his career he had 10+ points and at least five assists and five rebounds.

Miami’s 96 points in its 96-95 win over Duke in 2008 are the most points the Canes have ever scored in an ACC game.

IT'S HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGEEEE!!!

Down by as many as nine midway through the second half, the University of Miami men’s basketball team looked to the charity stripe in order to fight its way back into the game against the University of Virginia Monday night.

Down 35-26, the Hurricanes only converted on four field goals in the final 16:48 of both regulation and overtime, while hitting 18-of-20 shots from the free throw line.

Miami (19-8, 9-6 ACC) played 45 minutes with a strong defensive effort, holding the Cavaliers to only 48 points, on a night the Hurricanes scored a season-low in points offensively.

The strong defensive effort began in the opening half, where Miami held Virginia (18-9, 8-7 ACC) to its fewest points this season, when heading into the locker room.

Following a pair of free throws by Isaiah Wilkins with 3:47 left to play in the opening half, UVA led the game, 19-14. UM would close out the half knocking down a pair of threes, its first two of the game, by senior guard Davon Reed and freshman guard DJ Vasiljevic to give the Canes the 20-19 halftime lead.

This marked only the sixth time all year Miami entered the break leading the game over a ranked opponent, with a record of 1-3 in its previous four outings.

Looking for their first win at John Paul Jones Arena under head coach JimLarrañaga, the Hurricanes were leading, 26-23, with 14:57 left to play in regulation.

The host would then take its largest lead of the night (nine), as the Cavaliers went on a 12-0 run.

Down 35-26, Miami answered with a 17-6 run of its own, highlighted by a game tying 3-pointer by Vasiljevic with 1:04 left to play.

Up 43-41, a foul was called on Miami with four seconds remaining, placing Wilkins at the line where he evened the score at 43 apiece.

Reed took the ensuing inbounds pass the length of the court, where he heaved up a shot from beyond the arc. Despite knocking down the shot, a video review was used to determine he released the ball just after the buzzer.

Trailing, 48-47 with 23.8 seconds left in overtime, freshman guard Bruce Brown knocked down a crucial 3-pointer to give the Canes a lead it would not look back on.

Following four consecutive free throws, Miami outscored the Cavaliers 11-5 in the overtime period to seal its second victory of the season over a ranked opponent.

Up next for the Hurricanes, a return to the Watsco Center against Duke Saturday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m.

Batter Up!

Cream On Top

Miami's first junior day for the 2018 class will be next Saturday, February 18th.

The Canes will be hosting Clemson in basketball on campus as well.

Commits:

DB Gilbert Frierson (Coral Gables) (hudl)
DB Josh Jobe (Columbus) (hudl)
CB DJ Ivey (South Dade) (hudl)
WR Daquris Wiggins (Southridge) (hudl)

Prospects:

WR Warren Thompson (Armwood) (hudl)
WR Xavier Williams (Chaminade-Madonna) (hudl)
WR Mark Pope (Southridge) (hudl)
DE James Head, Jr. (Southridge) (Hudl)
DE/LB Randy Charlton (Southridge) (hudl)
RB James Cook (Miami Central) (hudl)
DB Al Blades, Jr. (St Thomas Aquinas) (hudl)
WR Elijah Moore (Saint Thomas) (hudl)
DB Gurvan Hall (Palm Beach Lakes) (hudl)
DL Davontae McCrae (Northwestern) (hudl)
K/P Javan Rice (Belen Jesuit) (hudl)
DE Andrew Chatfield (American Heritage) (hudl)
DT Nesta Silvera (American Heritage) (hudl)
DB Tyson Campbell (American Heritage) (hudl)
DB Patrick Surtain, Jr. (American Heritage) (hudl)
WR Anthony Schwartz (American Heritage) (hudl)
QB Artur Sitkowski (IMG) (hudl)
WR Joshua Moore (Yoakum, TX) (hudl)
OL William Barnes (Apopka) (hudl)
WR/FS Gregory Rousseau (Champagnat) (hudl)
LB/WR Yasir Abdullah (Carol City) (hudl)
DB Randy Russell (Carol City) (hudl)
DB Maxwell Worship (Cardinal Gibbons) (hudl)

2019/2020

2019 WR Kalani Norris (Columbus) (hudl)
2019 DE Jeramy Passmore (Columbus) (hudl)
2019 DB Demetries Ford (Columbus) (hudl)
2019 WR Frank Ladson (Killian) (hudl)
2019 LB Mikel Jones (Mater Academy) (hudl)
2019 OL Evan Neal (IMG) (hudl)
2019 DE Nolan Smith (IMG) (hudl)
2020 RB Don Chaney, Jr. (Belen Jesuit) (hudl)

We Love U Ladies

More than 330 supporters packed the Watsco Center Fieldhouse Sunday for the University of Miami’s third annual Celebration of Women’s Athletics.

The event, which sold out for the first time, honored current Miami female student-athletes from each of UM’s nine women’s programs for excellence on the playing field, as well as in the classroom and community.

The event raised $300,000 for the Edna Shalala Women’s Athletics Fund, which provides UM female student-athletes with first-class opportunities to compete, study and prepare themselves for life after athletics. Former UM President Donna Shalala pledged a major gift to the fund, matching all gifts up to $100,000 for the CWA. 

Former Hurricanes women’s basketball standout and current Mayor of Dania Beach, Fla., Tamara James, was the event’s keynote speaker. James is the Hurricanes’ career scoring leader and was elected mayor of her hometown this past November.

The crowd was also treated to inspiring speeches from Shalala, UM President Dr. Julio Frenk, Director of Athletics Blake James, Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA Jennifer Strawley, women’s basketball head coach Katie Meier and women’s soccer student-athlete Gracie Lachowecki, who will graduate this spring with a degree in nursing. Hurricanes head football coach Mark Richt and men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga, as well as U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Head Coach Jill Ellis, were also in attendance.

For more information on the Edna Shalala Women’s Athletics Fund please visit www.miami.edu/ednacshalalafund. 

Below are the 2017 CWA student-athlete winners. Congratulations to all of the winners, and thank you to everyone who attended the event and continue to support women’s athletics at Miami.

Basketball: Adrienne Motley

Cross Country: Gabrielle Hesslau

Golf: Dewi Weber

Rowing- Teagan Lynch

Soccer- Gracie Lachowecki

Swimming & Diving: Angela Algee and Wally Layland

Tennis: Sinead Lohan

Track & Field: Shakima Wimbley and Ebony Morrison

Volleyball: Olga Strantzali

Nothing Beats Four Play

Get ready ladies and gentlemen, because here we go once again!

Over the last three years the Canespace blog has held our annual "Four Play" event in February. We have had a ridiculously good time and the events have been a resounding success each Winter.

So this year we have decided to do it again, but only do it bigger and better than ever. Although after our incredible trips over the last few years, I am not sure that it is even be possible to top it?

Now before we get too far off track, for all of you newbies and novices who aren't in the know, the Canespace "Four Play" event consists of attending at least four UM sports events in just four days or less.

And all of these events are held on the always warm and beautiful University of Miami campus in Coral Gables surrounded by lush palm trees, clear cool blue waters and some really hot women. Seriously, who could ask for more?

That's right every year from 2013 and henceforth we will be attending two basketball and two baseball games in Miami during the month of February.

In 2016 we went undefeated and ended with a perfect 4-0 record on the trip. We definitely hope to repeat that effort again this year!

Here is the schedule as it currently stands:

Wednesday 2/15: UM Basketball vs Georgia Tech at 8 PM.

Thursday 2/16: Florida Keys Road Trip.

Friday 2/17: UM Baseball at 7 PM vs Rutgers.

Saturday 2/18: UM Basketball vs Clemson at 12 noon.

Saturday 2/18: UM Basketball at 7 PM vs Rutgers.

Now, if you wanted to be part of this Canespace extravaganza you still can. We are locked and loaded and ready to roll. Of course, you can always meet us at the Titanic Brewery before all games if you want for a tasty beverage.

Wish us luck, and remember...Nothing beats Four Play!

Baseball Season Opens In Coral Gables

The University of Miami baseball program welcomed back more than 60 alumni for its annual Alumni Game exhibition Saturday at Mark Light Field, signaling the beginning of Hurricanes baseball season.

Thanks to five solid innings from junior lefthander Michael Mediavilla, Miami topped the Alumni 9-2 on a perfect February evening for baseball. An All-American last season, Mediavilla allowed four hits and one earned run with four strikeouts and four walks.

“He got out of his jams and we played good defense,” head coach Jim Morris said. “Tonight, the biggest thing to me was we played really good defense behind the guys…we know Mike can pitch. He’s got good stuff, he’s healthy, and he’s a proven winner.”

The Hurricanes plated three runs in the third, including a two-run home run from redshirt senior Edgar Michelangeli, and added three more in the fourth to take a commanding early lead. Michelangeli finished with a game-high three hits and four RBI.

“We need some veterans to step up, and [Edgar] is one of them,” Morris said. “He improved a lot last year. If he can improve like that again, it’s really going to help us as a team.”

Leading 6-1 in the eighth, senior Barry Buchowski ripped a two-run triple and Michelangeli connected on a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 9-1.

All Hurricanes alumni were introduced in pregame ceremonies, including Larry Adams, who was celebrating his 90^th birthday Saturday. The Alumni lineup was comprised of several professional baseball players, including Ricky Eusebio (Seattle), Dale Carey (Washington), Willie Abreu (Colorado), David Thompson (New York Mets), Chantz Mack (Seattle), Jacob Heyward (San Francisco), Brandon Lopez (Minnesota) and Garrett Kennedy (Los Angeles Dodgers).

Eusebio’s solo home run in the fifth inning was the only run allowed by Mediavilla. Mack hit a solo shot off redshirt sophomore Keven Pimentel in the ninth.

Lefthander Danny Garcia, who plays in the Mariners organization, started the game for the Alumni and threw one scoreless inning.

The Hurricanes open the 2017 season on Fri., Feb. 17 against Rutgers. First pitch for the contest, slated for broadcast on ACC Network Extra and WVUM 90.5 FM, is set for 7 p.m.

Hard Work + Success = Rewards

University of Miami head coach Mark Richt announced Friday that Craig Kuligowski has been promoted to Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line.

Kuligowski, who joined the Hurricanes’ staff last season after 15 years at the University of Missouri, will continue to coach Miami’s defensive line.

“Craig did an outstanding job last season working with our defensive line,” Richt said. “He’s a terrific motivator and a great teacher.”

Miami’s defensive line showed vast improvement under Kuligowski’s guidance in 2016. The Hurricanes ranked 20th nationally in total defense, fifth in tackles for loss and 22nd in sacks.

In addition, Kuligowski’s defensive line scheme helped limit opponents to just 4.75 yards per play, a figure which ranked ninth in the nation. Miami ranked 86th in the country in yards per play allowed in 2015.

Joe Jackson ranked second among true freshmen nationwide with 8.5 sacks, while sophomore Kendrick Norton registered 10 tackles for loss and earned third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors.

Kuligowski is entering his 26th year of coaching. He played offensive tackle at Toledo, where he earned his bachelor’s of business administration degree. He and his wife, Mary, have three children.

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