Canes Advance Because Coaching Matters

The University of Miami men’s basketball team took down second-seed and top-10-ranked Auburn, 79-61, Sunday night to earn the fourth Sweet 16 berth in program history.

No. 10-seeded Miami (25-10, 14-6 ACC) led the Tigers, ranked No. 8/7, from start to finish at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, holding the advantage for 39-plus minutes in a spectacular display at both ends of the floor.

Third-year sophomore guard Isaiah Wong scored a game-high 21 points for the Hurricanes, who are headed to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last decade.

“I can’t be happier for my guys. They did such a fantastic job of executing the game plan,” Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga said after leading his team to the Sweet 16 for the third time in his 11-year tenure. “We just kept plugging away. Our defense is about pressure, keeping pressure on the opponent and trying to force turnovers. These guys did a fantastic job of doing that.”

The Hurricanes made six of their first nine shots, while Auburn (28-6, 15-3 SEC) opened 1-of-4 with four turnovers, helping Miami grab a 13-4 edge after just 4:19 of action.

The Tigers pulled back within five, but Miami regained its nine-point edge, 23-14, with 7:27 on the clock. At that point, the Hurricanes had five steals and zero turnovers, while holding Auburn to 5-of-19 shooting.

Miami eventually took a one-point lead, 33-32, into the locker room after the Tigers scored the final five points of the half. It marked the smallest lead of the entire session for the Hurricanes, who led for the final 19:28 of the frame.

Through 20 minutes, Miami held the Tigers to 38.7 percent shooting (12-of-31), including a 2-of-10 mark on 3-pointers after they missed their first seven attempts.

The Hurricanes scored eight straight points to begin the second half, taking a 41-32 edge with 17:35 to play. Miami went on to take a 14-point advantage, 64-50, with 7:17 left after posting an 11-4 run in just 3:12.

Auburn answered with six straight points in 80 seconds to make it 64-56 with 5:55 remaining, but Miami used an 8-2 run to go back up by 14, 72-58, with just 2:13 to play. That eventually became a game-ending 15-5 burst, as the Hurricanes won by 18 points, their largest margin of the game. Miami scored the final seven points in the last 73 seconds.

“The second half, we were everywhere. These guys were able to make plays, get to the open court,” Larrañaga said. “Auburn is a very high, up-tempo team but we feel very, very comfortable in that environment, as well. These guys ran for layups and made a lot of really good decisions in the open court. I congratulate all of them.”

Wong’s game-best point total came on 8-of-18 shooting from the field and a 5-of-5 clip at the line, and he added six rebounds. Sixth-year redshirt senior guard Kameron McGusty totaled 20 points on a superb 10-of-18 mark, also notching six rebounds, four assists and a game-best four steals. He tied the program record for steals in an NCAA Tournament game and became the third Hurricane with double-digit made field goals in such a contest.

Sixth-year redshirt senior guard Charlie Moore nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 15 points, a career-high nine rebounds and a game-best eight assists, adding three steals. Fourth-year junior guard Jordan Miller posted 12 points and three steals.

Sophomore guard KD Johnson and junior forward Jaylin Williams co-led the Tigers with 12 points apiece. Sophomore guard Wendell Green Jr., tallied 11 points and freshman forward Jabari Smith had 10.

Smith, a Second Team All-American and presumptive top-three NBA Draft pick, shot just 3-of-16 from the floor, including 1-of-8 from 3-point range, though he did lead all players with 15 rebounds to log a double-double. Meanwhile, sophomore forward/center Walker Kessler, a Third Team All-American, scored two points and shot 0-of-6 from the floor.

The Hurricanes shot 48.5 percent (32-of-66) from the floor and 80.0 percent (12-of-15) at the line, while limiting Auburn to just a 30.4 percent clip (21-of-69) from the field at the other end, the lowest mark by an opponent this year. En route to posting the second-highest NCAA Tournament point total, Miami set a program record for made field goals in the event.

The Hurricanes opened just 1-of-10 from 3-point range and finished 3-of-15 (20.0 percent), but still outshot the Tigers from deep, as they went 5-of-26 (19.2 percent), the second-lowest ledger by a Miami foe this year.

Miami, which committed only four turnovers and forced 13, registered 10 steals compared to Auburn’s one. That led to a staggering 30-1 edge in fast-break points and 17-2 advantage in points of giveaways for the Hurricanes, who also posted a 48-28 margin in paint points to earn the first NCAA Tournament victory over a top-two seed in program history.

The Hurricanes now head to Chicago, where they play No. 11-seeded Iowa State Friday at 9:45 p.m. ET, live on TBS from the United Center.

Comments

[Harry Miller]

This was the first Miami basketball game that I watched from whistle to whistle. What a game it was. After reading how bad the coach is for almost the whole season I was not expecting what saw when I watched the last half of the USC game. I thought who were these guys talking about how bad coach Larranaga is and should be fired. I heard that all season. then I watched the Auburn game from start to finish. I saw a well coached game with players playing their ass's off. Unreal shooting scrambling for balls, taking the ball away from the other players and winning going away. The coach can even dance a little.

I thought for the first time. some of you don't know what you are talking about when it comes to Basketball. You know who you are "just admit it that you did it.

[Harry Miller]

Oh one more thing, didn't our great coach, and his team make the Sweet 16 who would ever thought.

[nemo2020]

The secret to Miami's Sweet 16 success? Hurricanes are older than some NBA teams.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaabk/the-secret-to-miami-s-sweet-16-success-hurricanes-are-older-than-some-nba-teams-opinion/ar-AAVmjV3?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531

[roachcane77]

Yeah... What Harry said.

There's something to be said for EXPERIENCE.

Let's Go CANES! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 And let's go Coach Larrañaga!🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

LOVE seeing the old coach prove the haters wrong! (You know who you are.)

[AeroCane]

Spring practice #4
Full pads
Some top recruits watching
Rohan Marley in attendance and so is Jason Taylor

[Ohio_Cane]

Spring practice #4
Full pads
Some top recruits watching
Rohan Marley in attendance and so is Jason Taylor

Posted by: AeroCane | March 22, 2022 at 09:34 AM
-------------------------------

Don Soldinger there too

[AST]

Coach L has been playing catch up since the FBI BS. He also had 2 years of injuries that has hamstrung the squad. Sam couldn't even play last year.

This run will do wonders for portal and recruiting acquisitions.

We have a coaching legend at the U on the basketball side. Appreciate it while we've got him.

I'm really looking forward to Friday nights showdown with Iowa State.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

So, Miami is better than teams it's beating because the coaching staff worked revised NCAA eligibility rules better than all but 15 others of their competition, followers of the program already know this but what does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Maybe the other programs should all fire their coaches instead of crying about officiating not allowing them to win when they play the Hurricanes.

Waardenburg found another level inside himself of competitor in the second half on Sunday that you always hoped he'd allow to emerge in his game but didn't know if it ever would, which as a Miami fan, you love to see. Need that same second half #21 to make the trip to Chicago for another full 40 minutes (or at least the 30.2 minutes a game he averages so far this year) in order to continue to survive another round. Walker maximizing what he brings to the table and minimizing what he takes off it for you off the bench is also going to be key, Iowa State is going to have match up problems with his length and athleticism no matter how deep on the bench they go so having him locked in on his assignment will be crucial.

Hey this is fun, how are those old cast offs doing now this year, this one is worse than ever and made a shitty choice;

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/4432193/earl-timberlake

This one is still alive, barely plays, but can still hurt you late from the free throw line as long as you don't need a stop from him;

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/4277889/chris-lykes

Wouldn't want either in the rotation today though, enjoy living in the sticks during the best four (or six) years of your life, guys.

[AeroCane]

OGV
Another excellent basketball post!
You guys know more than me in regards to basketball, but this team seems to play so much more controlled ball than the teams I’ve seen under coach l in the past. Is this because we have older, more mature players or is it coaching or a combination?
I’m thinking coach L was the right guy for this team (let’s keep winning!!) but I wouldn’t be unhappy if he resigned after the season as he’s going to have a young team next season and that doesn’t seem to be his Fortay.

[Terrance Sullivan]

In 60 Years of Miami Hurricanes Basketball we have made 11 NCAA Tournaments and 4 Sweet 16(March Madness) In the 49 Years before Coach L we made 6 March Madness and 1 Sweet 16. In the 11 Years of Coach L we have made 5 March Madness and 3 Sweet 16. But people thinking the Dude couldn't Coach! Lawd Have Mercy! Go Canes!

[Old Skool]

Most trivial useless factoid I've seen in the leadup to Iowa State game. This is from The Gazette -- a local Iowa fish wrapper

Series: Iowa State leads, 1-0. The Cyclones beat Miami 73-56 in the Advocare Invitational at Disney World in 2016.

[nemo2020]

Waardenburg found another level inside himself of competitor in the second half on Sunday that you always hoped he'd allow to emerge in his game but didn't know if it ever would, which as a Miami fan, you love to see.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | March 22, 2022 at 10:52 AM

True! Without a doubt he has been critical to our success this year. And, academically, I understand that he is making the most of his lengthy career at UM. Also, it is truly gratifying to see how well he interacts with other players on the team and vice versa.

[nemo2020]

I’m thinking coach L was the right guy for this team (let’s keep winning!!) but I wouldn’t be unhappy if he resigned after the season as he’s going to have a young team next season and that doesn’t seem to be his Fortay.

Posted by: AeroCane | March 22, 2022 at 11:55 AM

I totally agree.
I wouldn’t be unhappy if he resigned after the season as he’s going to have a young EXPERIENCED team next season - without ANY decent big men - and that means UM may sink like a rock to the bottom tier of the ACC standings again!

But first, let's hope he wins at least one more game in the tournament. Thereafter, he needs to RECRUIT (some top-rated HS players), RESTOCK (from the transfer portal), and maybe RETIRE (on a high note) as UM's most successful (and most likeable) men's basketball coach.

[AeroCane]

I’m aerocane and I agree with Nemo!!

[nemo2020]

My typo
I meant to say: "young INEXPERIENCED team next season"

[JCane]

Interesting. UM is a 2.5 point favorite over ISU at the moment. However, the ESPN match-up predictor index gives ISU a 55.1% chance of winning. All of it is a yawn, as the game actually will get played and decide. Fwiw, ISU played #1 KU seed twice since January, losing both, by 1 and by 9. As most already know, the ISU team was 2-22 last season, so both teams are nice turnaround stories and remind that next season isn't yet in the cards.

[JCane]

Also, interesting, is that ISU finished the season winning 4 out of their last 7 and completing a losing conference record in spite of a great non-conference win streak, including over some good teams, like Xavier and Creighton, to start the season. Always used to seem like losing records in conference cost bids, but not for ISU. They're suspect on O, but play hard, get a lot of turnovers and play good D, which has won 2 games thus far in the tnmt. Would love to see the U really disrupt their O, create turnovers and pick up the pace of the game. Slow half-court games are clearly not our strength.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"...this team seems to play so much more controlled ball than the teams I’ve seen under coach l in the past. Is this because we have older, more mature players or is it coaching or a combination?
Posted by: AeroCane | March 22, 2022 at 11:55 AM"

This one has ended up constructed differently, by necessity due to what's available on the roster, than the other Sweet 16 teams The Pimp coached at Miami. Overall it is a smaller, quicker, higher risk to reward proposition crew the way the rotation is deployed this season. Usually you see way more man to man defense, even if they pick up 3/4 of the court defensively. This year, due to the four guards in the regular starting five they've deployed more full court zone which they can gamble with because McGusty, Wong and Moore are very aggressive in passing lanes anyway when they play man to man and can cause chaos even more with another half court of space to use to trap and defend an attempted outlet pass tossed their ways.

If Rodney Miller's hips weren't shot, they'd have more size to throw down with defensively and wouldn't need to scramble as much in an effort to prevent shots from even getting attempted in the first place. Offensively, the last couple of bad seasons they were handcuffed with a 5'7" in shoes shoot first point guard and a terrible defensive liability trash in the clutch shooter at the other guard, when those are your two minute sponges in your back court, you're already screwed usually. Last year they dropped the terrible shooting guard and the 5'7" midget played in one game before being out for the year in the first of a bunch of injuries that took them down to playing seven healthy players as their rotation by necessity. You only have seven to rotate, you're screwed usually no matter who you have in the rotation, especially if your opponent can go more than eight deep.

This year they can at least try and go eight deep without too much of quality drop off, Poplar has a chance to be real good in the next few years, Joseph can be a solid point guard who can close out games for you with development and Walker is probably about one more off season away from becoming a nightly match up nightmare for most teams they play, so you have a useful 4, 3 and 1 on the bench who can shift a spot up or down for Walker and Poplar if needed to defensively for assignments. Moore is a real point, he can work himself open for his own shot if needed, but is better getting to the paint and finding the right open man to rotate the ball to, whether that's behind the three point arc or near the basket. That makes the other four players on the floor with him better already before they develop one iota in the last off season. Wong is a help defense nightmare as even if you rotate in time to stop him once he's driving, he's likely going to stick a fade away jumper in the net from anywhere inside fifteen feet. McGusty has played so much college basketball he's now a jaded assassin offensively, if you are stupid enough to switch a screen on him and end up with a forward guarding him at the three point line he will break the mismatch down off the dribble and either get in the paint for a layup attempt and most likely foul shots to go with it or will create enough space to step back for a three which he's able to get hot from deep with most nights. Waardenburg is playing out of position every night, which means he always gets the least fair assignment on the team usually, drawing a player to guard who's usually three to six inches taller and 20 to 70 pounds heavier than him, it's why the story this year always comes down to how he fares in his assignment inside, if he holds his own they have a chance to win, if he wins the assignment, they have a chance to win comfortably, and when he gets his ass kicked they have virtually no chance to win because they can't go bigger than him without having to put in either Miller Jr. who is hobbled due to core injuries or Gak, who at least stayed healthy all year this year for once, but still needs to develop into a bruiser in the post instead of a project with all the measurables you want but none of the production yet to go with it. So with all that said, we get to Jordan Miller, the fifth regular starter who is big for a guard but due to his high basketball IQ ,and the fact he can jump out of the gym, can fill in and play above his size. The fact he must play above his size means prototype power forwards can give him trouble if he has to defend in the post all game though, and it means they're relying on a guard to prevent the other team from dominating them with offensive rebounds, which is the teams major weakness all year.

So, to answer your question, it's a combination of staying healthier all year this year for the first time in four seasons, but mostly, it's the coaching adapting to what gives this roster as constructed the best possible chance to be competitive every night, despite that being contrary to what traditionally the head coach is comfortable with and known for. That's why The Pimp gets paid the big bucks, for another four years!

[AeroCane]

Great synopsis OGV
Thx

[Harry Miller]

Man, here we go again. Most of you sound like you know what you are talking about now that the Pimp as OGV calls Him & his team made you you eat crow after trying to run them out of town all season long. All of a sudden you don't think he so bad after all. OGV what you posted above sounds like you should be on the game show as an analyst for this game, that really sounded great. I judge not what a person says but by what he has already done. I hope you are right this time.

I don't know alot about basketball so I don't post alot. I lookup to my Cane Family to help me out with all the technical information and appreciate every thing all of you do. I don't get
much information out her in CA. I read all of your inputs every day. Thank you

[Ohio_Cane]

Great for Dolphins and wtf were U thinking for Chiefs.

Tyreek Hill traded to Miami for 1st, 2nd, and mid and late round throw in draft picks

[Sarasota 'cane]

Teddy Bridgewater and Tyreek Hill in the same week? Yes please!

Go Dolphins!

[Old Skool]

Mark Walton auditions to star in sequel to The Longest Yard

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article259684535.html#storylink=mainstage_card4

Troubled former NFL and Miami Hurricane star running back Mark Walton was arrested yet again late Tuesday night, this time for pointing a gun at a man and stealing his Rolex after they wrestled, police said.

[Ohio_Cane]

Its extremely unfortunate what has happened with Mark Walton. So much talent and promise, thrown out the door by him and whatever issues he is dealing with, either mental, drugs, or both.

[86Cane]

Oh one more thing, didn't our great coach, and his team make the Sweet 16 who would ever thought.

Posted by: Harry Miller | March 22, 2022 at 01:09 AM

Give 'em HELL Harry!

[86Cane]

There's something to be said for EXPERIENCE.

Posted by: roachcane77 | March 22, 2022 at 06:56 AM

Said the old guy to the young crowd!

[86Cane]

Lawd Have Mercy! Go Canes!

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | March 22, 2022 at 01:40 PM

LAWD!

[86Cane]

OGV what you posted above sounds like you should be on the game show as an analyst for this game, that really sounded great.

Posted by: Harry Miller | March 23, 2022 at 02:01 AM

Harry, trust me, OGV drinks more beer before breakfast and knows more about basketball than ALL of the bloggers here on Canespace.

#DudeIsBrilliantWhileChuggingBeer

#SpittingFacts

#TruthBeTold

[86Cane]

Teddy Bridgewater and Tyreek Hill in the same week? Yes please! Go Dolphins!

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 23, 2022 at 12:59 PM

Does this mean Da Fish win games in 2022?

[AeroCane]

Fins
We now have an OL, top receivers, above ave RBs, an above ave TE - Tua is now the same qb as he was at Bama
NFL better watch out

[JCane]

Wait, 86. Does this mean if I pick up my beer I take pre breakfast that I will understand basketball better?? I don't remember this method helping much in college...or I just don't remember!

The key point is that Coach L does what football coaches at the U haven't done for decades...make the most out of the talent he has. He is truly a smart coach.

[JCane]

BTW, Canes took down FAU, 7-1, on the diamond tonight.

[Harry Miller]

86 I remember meeting you and OGV for the first time back when I came to miami with Rick town. OGV put a good ome on that night but he wasn't talking basketball. Don't get me wrong, I love OGV only thing is when he's not talking basketball sometimes
I don't know what the hell he is talking about.
He sure knows basketball thought.

[AeroCane]

BTW, Canes took down FAU, 7-1, on the diamond tonight.

Posted by: JCane | March 23, 2022 at 11:41 PM

It was an uninspiring win as it was 1-1 in the 7th. I expect very little out of this dimare led team and hope for the best. I’m hoping AD Rad is ‘behind the scenes’ looking for a new head coach.

[VA Cane]

Coach L in another historic run like his George Mason team when they beat a 1 a3 a 6 and a 7....pretty impressive then, this is a nice run as well.
He makes good use of this teams strengths...and coaches fundamentals...hmmmm...where have I heard that.

Mark Walton is a sad case for a kid 24, but look at his path....talented player, got hurt...and I think he gave up on living right and turned to being a career criminal. Robbing people at gunpoint deserves no bail...he is a criminal...and though you can look at it different ways, there is a place for him...jail. A society cannot allow people to roam the streets with guns robbing people. At some point you got to face reality stop being soft and lock them up. Get him some help with his outlook, mental state etc...100% help the man. He still needs to reflect on his ways and try to change them to a positive...and time incarcerated while getting help is the option. JMO

[86Cane]

The key point is that Coach L does what football coaches at the U haven't done for decades...make the most out of the talent he has. He is truly a smart coach.

Posted by: JCane | March 23, 2022 at 11:40 PM

There IT is right there.

[Old Skool]

Looks like the Killian connection strikes again. Supposedly the Washington twins have committed to the U

[Old Skool]

Fins cut Hurns. Mallory out for rest of spring with shoulder injury

[Ohio_Cane]

Robby and Bobby Washington are big gets for us! Especially Robby who is a WR and is ELITE with the ball in his hands. Brother bobby is no scrub at the LB position too

[nemo2020]

Robby and Bobby Washington are big gets for us! Especially Robby who is a WR and is ELITE with the ball in his hands. Brother bobby is no scrub at the LB position too

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | March 25, 2022 at 10:21 AM

It was "double or nothing" with these two recruits. I'm glad Mario decided to double down. Good get(s).

[UMike]

Any spacers going to the season opener against BC? I'm wanting to tailgate but not bringing my tailgate stuff like I do for games that are "local" for me lol... I can throw in cash for food and drinks.. Soup, Ky, Zilla?? Lol

[AeroCane]

Another transfer is on board for Miami after former UCLA EDGE Mitchell Agude gave his pledge to the Hurricanes following a strong official visit that was capped off at Morton’s Steak House in Coral Gables. He chose Miami over Oregon, Washington, and Tennessee.
He’s 6-foot-4, 245-pounder, who also sports an 81-inch wingspan,

[AeroCane]

6-1 canes baseball over UNC in the 7th

[KYcane]

Posted by: UMike | March 25, 2022 at 01:18 PM

UMike

I will be there

[AeroCane]

Canes baseball beats #13 unc 8-5.

[AeroCane]

Canes basketball- 3 takeaways, 3 out of control breakaways and 0 points! Moore with 3 TO already. It’s gonna be a dogfight

[AeroCane]

And the announcers are SO PRO Iowa state it’s ridiculous

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Have to pick it up from the free throw line to close this out. Also can't go cold from the field in the second half. Cyclones have handled the trap well so far but if Miami can cut down on the turnovers they can go where no basketball team has gone at UM before.

[DallasTX Cane]

In a “down” year for the ACC, 2 of Elite 8 come from the conference with our CANES working on a lead in the final 6 minutes for the last remaining spot. Not too shabby

In more depressing news… from the rock n roll world RIP Taylor Hawkins. Was only 50. Amazing drummer/musician

[TonyCane]

Elite 8!