All five starters reached double figures for the University of Miami basketball team Friday night at the Watsco Center, as Jim Larrañaga began his eighth season at the helm with the Hurricanes topping Lehigh, 83-62.
Sophomore guard Chris Lykes capped off the season opener with a career-high 22 points, converting on a career-high eight free-throws and tying a career high with four 3-pointers.
Stuffing the stat sheet senior guard Anthony Lawrence II picked up his third career double-double, notching 19 points and a team-high 12 rebounds, while blocking a trio of shots, dishing out a pair of assists and recording a team-high three steals.
Also chipping in on the offensive end, junior guard Dejan Vasiljevic finished the night with 16 points, sophomore forward Sam Waardenburg scored 11 and senior center Ebuka Izundu capped off the night with 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Trailing 2-0 in the opening minute, Lawrence knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Canes a lead they would not look back on. Moments later, off of a block by Lawrence, sophomore guard Lykes found himself on the fast break before knocking down Miami's second three of the night.
Overall, the Canes went on a 16-3 run following the opening basket by the Mountain Hawks, to jump in front 16-5, with 16:09 to play in the half.
Leading 25-16, Lykes nearly ripped the roof off the building with a cross-over move that sent his defender to the floor. The Mitchellville, Md., native followed up the ankle-breaking move with a three to place the Canes up 12. Momentum continued to swing in favor of Miami as sophomore forward Sam Waardenburg finished back-to-back end ones to give Miami its largest lead of the half, 34-16.
Following the run, both teams got cold to close out the half, combining to shoot 2-of-26 from the field. Despite the offensive struggles, the Hurricanes continued to wreak havoc on the defensive front closing out the half with a combined six blocks, while also holding the Mountain Hawks to shoot 23.2-percent (7-of-30) from the field, as they took a 12-point, 38-26, lead into the break.
Shooting 1-of-3 from 3-point range in the opening frame, Vasiljevic came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, knocking down back-to-back threes and a pair of free-throws scoring eight of the Canes first 10 points of the period.
Following the offensive explosion, Lehigh began to claw its way back into the contest, cutting the Miami lead to as little as six points, 53-47, with 12:24 to play.
The Canes quickly returned to a double-digit lead after a sequence of events, beginning with a 3-pointer by Lykes with 10:48 to go. Moments later, Lawrence took advantage of a bad pass, which led to a pair of free-throws for Lykes on the opposite end, before Lykes returned the favor by sending Lawrence a beautiful up-court pass, as the senior finished the lay-up to secure his double-double performance.
Miami went on to take its largest lead of the game with 1:26 remaining, when Lawrence drained his fourth three of the night to give the Canes a 24-point advantage, 83-59.
Don't worry Canes fans. In the second half, we definitely will stop GT's vaunted running game. After all, Coach Diaz is a defensive GENIUS. Right?
My bad. I forgot to take my meds. Sorry!
Posted by: nemo2002 | November 10, 2018 at 08:40 PM
Some times kids do dumb Shi+.
Posted by: Killerbeez | November 10, 2018 at 08:35 PM
The Canes lead the ACC in dumb Shi+
Posted by: BigWindyCane | November 10, 2018 at 08:41 PM
Actually, if the Canes eliminate turnovers and penalties in the second half, they might score a lot of points
Posted by: BigWindyCane | November 10, 2018 at 08:42 PM
bc 7 clemson 3
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 08:42 PM
N'Kosi Perry was a great high school quarterback.
And he still is.
Posted by: nemo2002 | November 10, 2018 at 08:50 PM
If we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot with ridiculous penalties and turnovers we’ll win this game. We’re only going to get a limited number of possession.
They always come out strong offensively. We started slowing it down.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | November 10, 2018 at 08:53 PM
About to find out just how bad they want it this second half
Posted by: Killerbeez | November 10, 2018 at 08:56 PM
Good God.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | November 10, 2018 at 08:57 PM
unacceptable ...
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 08:57 PM
See Windy, guess that's coaching....uhhhh no, kids doing dumb Shi+, TO on special teams. Dam!!!!!!!
Posted by: Killerbeez | November 10, 2018 at 08:57 PM
it doesnt matter if its the kids..you make mistakes its your loss not the kids..the kids wont be fired
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 08:59 PM
Again, the Canes lead the ACC in dumb Shi+ , and it’s costing games. Good teams don’t make these mistakes....OVER AND OVER AND OVER again!
Posted by: BigWindyCane | November 10, 2018 at 09:02 PM
You just have to laugh to keep from going crazy.
Posted by: His Majesty The Dude on High | November 10, 2018 at 09:03 PM
That's what sucks for coaches...one everyone in America is better at coaching from the coach/stands than you and your success depends on so many factors. Sucks, but its the nature of the beast. GREAT JOB DFENSE!!!!
Posted by: Killerbeez | November 10, 2018 at 09:03 PM
gt aint seen atheletism and speed like this ..unfortunately we are not successful scoring on offense
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:03 PM
the job is measure by winning ncs...thats it.
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:05 PM
True mi@mi, but its unrealistic. I think that's part of the issue for this team. Now that a lot of the preseason goals are off the board, they are reeling for motivation. Just trying to become bowl eligible for now.
Posted by: Killerbeez | November 10, 2018 at 09:08 PM
Why are we throwing bombs to or slowest wr, in Cager.
Posted by: Herbieibis | November 10, 2018 at 09:08 PM
That was a horrible holding call. Absolutely horrible.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | November 10, 2018 at 09:10 PM
Thought the same thing Herb
Posted by: Killerbeez | November 10, 2018 at 09:10 PM
same ole same ole
Posted by: TJL | November 10, 2018 at 09:10 PM
why cant we throw a timing pattern just beyond the first down marker...the passing game is erratic
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:11 PM
the qb has never gotten into a grove in this offense...we look like all pros and then like highschool offense ..no consistency in the passing game
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:13 PM
Another shyt series and another suck ass punt, plus a low snap. This has been going on since the first game and nothing has changed. Low snaps, shanked punts or low liners. When's the last time we had a 50 yd. punt?
Posted by: Herbieibis | November 10, 2018 at 09:13 PM
no middle guard...
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:16 PM
Wow...just WOW!!!!!!
Posted by: Killerbeez | November 10, 2018 at 09:18 PM
bandy got turned around...no discipline ...ed reed is throwing things now...lol
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:19 PM
Good night Eileen.
Posted by: 58 Straight | November 10, 2018 at 09:20 PM
Dude throws up a hail Mary s
And they complete it and we throw deep and it gets batted down. The Dee is fine.
Posted by: Herbieibis | November 10, 2018 at 09:20 PM
At least we scored on our FIRST drive like I said we would.
Posted by: 58 Straight | November 10, 2018 at 09:20 PM
It’s hard to win games when you make many mistakes like this. Need to cut the mistakes
Posted by: BigWindyCane | November 10, 2018 at 09:21 PM
no d s defense was better ..
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:21 PM
Searels is stealing.
Posted by: His Majesty The Dude on High | November 10, 2018 at 09:23 PM
Chicken shit play calls. Throw the dam ball down the field.
Posted by: Herbieibis | November 10, 2018 at 09:24 PM
thats normal coverage in the acc....we make it look really hard
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:24 PM
All we are saaaaying . . . is give Choc a chance!
Posted by: nemo2002 | November 10, 2018 at 09:26 PM
Need more Jet Sweep Motion.
Posted by: His Majesty The Dude on High | November 10, 2018 at 09:26 PM
Dam Richt acts like we are up by 13 instead of behind with these run calls. What a gutless chicken shyt.
Posted by: Herbieibis | November 10, 2018 at 09:26 PM
throw the dam ball on third down ..we do three and out every time ..we run on third down.
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:26 PM
Assuming you dont run in to eachother.
Posted by: His Majesty The Dude on High | November 10, 2018 at 09:26 PM
this Richt and Searels offensive line is a undisciplined bad technique disgraceful joke.
Posted by: PapaCane | November 10, 2018 at 09:27 PM
Need another stop. Give the offense another chance
Posted by: BigWindyCane | November 10, 2018 at 09:28 PM
they are going right or left...where is the pursuit? we are not jui ced up and running like we should...no pursuit
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:29 PM
its over..14 is the limit
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:33 PM
If GT scores on this drive, this game is over
Posted by: BigWindyCane | November 10, 2018 at 09:34 PM
We may not win another this season.
Richt is really bad and gutless and a fucking idiot with his use of players as well as his playcalling.
This is way worse than Golden!
Remember, it’s about winning, having fun and recruiting! We have none!
Where the f..k is Blake James and the bot - do they not care?
I hope no one shows up for the pitt game! I mean no one!
Then maybe some dramatic changes will be made.
Posted by: AeroCane | November 10, 2018 at 09:34 PM
Weve got GT right where they want us.
Posted by: His Majesty The Dude on High | November 10, 2018 at 09:35 PM
F watching this bullshte I'm going to watch sum real football. The two teams I hate the most FSU vs N. Dame.
Posted by: Herbieibis | November 10, 2018 at 09:37 PM
when we struggle with these unranked teams in the acc after three years its time to make a change....
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2018 at 09:38 PM
Put cam in, take cager out and maybe we can move the ball -
Posted by: AeroCane | November 10, 2018 at 09:38 PM