Losers No More, The U Is In The Final Four

Facing a 13-point second-half deficit Friday night at the T-Mobile Center, the fifth-seeded University of Miami men’s basketball team came all the way back to take down second-seeded Texas, 88-81, and reach the Final Four for the first time in program history.

No. 16/15 Miami (29-7, 15-5 ACC) overcome sensational 3-point shooting by No. 5/7 Texas with a blistering 59.2 clip from the field of its own. Fifth-year senior guard Jordan Miller paced the Midwest Region champions with a game-high 27 points on perfect shooting from the floor and the line.

The Hurricanes got off to a fast start and raced out to a 7-0 lead after just two minutes. The two sides exchanged baskets and then Texas (29-9, 12-6 B12) went on a 9-0 run in 2:37 to go in front, 11-9, with 14:23 on the clock.

After starting 9-of-21 from the floor, the Longhorns made eight of their final 10 shots of the half and built an eight-point edge, 45-37, entering the locker room. Texas shot 7-of-13 (53.8 percent) from 3-point range in the opening frame and held Miami to just a 2-of-3 (66.7 percent) ledger, though the Hurricanes did go 16-of-25 (64.0 percent) overall.

The Longhorns hit four of their first five shots to open the frame and went up by a dozen, 53-41, with 17:24 to go. They pushed the advantage to a game-high 13, 62-49, with 14:24 after hitting their ninth 3-pointer on just 17 attempts, while Miami was just 2-of-4 at the other end.

The Hurricanes, though, did not go away and used a 9-0 run in 2:24 to go ahead, 73-72, with 5:26 remaining. After Texas’ 10th 3-pointer of the night, Miami scored the next four points to go up by two, 77-75, with 3:57 to play.

Miami extended its margin to six, 85-79, with 23 seconds left and the Longhorns never got any closer than four, as the Hurricanes claimed the seven-point win. The victors shot 13-of-14 from the stripe in the last four minutes, including 7-of-8 in the last 34 ticks.

The Hurricanes shot 29-of-49 from the field, posting a clip of at least 54.0 percent in each half. They also went 28-of-32 (87.5 percent) from the line to counteract the 2-of-8 (25.0 percent) mark from beyond the arc.

Miller’s 27 points, his most in two years as a Hurricane and tied for the fourth-most in program history in NCAA Tournament play, came on 7-of-7 shooting from the field and a 13-of-13 mark from the line. Sophomore guard Wooga Poplar totaled 16 points, shooting 6-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-4 at the stripe.

The Hurricanes will now play fourth-seeded UConn, ranked No. 10/12 nationally, Saturday at 8:49 p.m. ET in the Final Four, live on CBS From NRG Stadium in Houston.

Comments

[58 Straight]

Yeah baby! Let's go Canes!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Boom Baby Go Canes! Final Four Bound! So Proud Of Our Miami Hurricanes! Thank You Soupster! For Posting This and your continued support of these Miami Hurricanes Hoops Team! I shed tears of Joy Tonight!

[Sarasota 'cane]

Congrats to the Lady Canes for a remarkable season! To paraphrase Arnold Schwarzenegger, “They’ll be back!”

Go ‘canes!🏀

[Dantana]

I had multiple heart attacks. Man, this was one of the most exciting and important single games in Canes athletics history. A major milestone.

The Canes are a national brand once again. Thank you Coach L and the gang. With the second major revenue sport having such success, it will only increase the value of any TV deals or realignment deals for all of Canes athletics.

This couldn’t have happened at a better time.

[Old Skool]

After this, Larranaga's job is his as long as he wants it.

[BEERicane]

My damn tickets didn’t go through last night when I was in checkout. Sooo mad!!! Need two in the Miami section. Does anyone know which section is Miami?

[Old Skool]

ESPN's analysis of the Canes in the Final Four is all about the NIL unlike the other teams' breakdowns

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/35959895/ranking-2023-men-march-madness-final-four

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Going to enjoy this blog, and this day, and, this win, today.

I'll be back to ruin the feel good of the blog later this week with a dose of reality about what's coming up Saturday. But for now, it is great to be a Miami Hurricane.

[BEERicane]

The reality is the Pimp L beat UConn with GMU and he’s about to do it again with The U!

[Old Skool]

Interesting factoid:

We got a Final Four that will include zero McDonald’s All-Americans and zero Top-30 recruits.

[DallasTX Cane]

Amazing. Really happy for Coach L as he became the oldest HC to reach a Final 4. Good man, great coach and as important a leader toMiami hoops as Schnelly was to foootball. We’ve got our hands full with UConn but no matter. The better THEY are, the better it feels to beat ‘em!

[CGNC]

What a win!!! No quit in this team. It was a little like WWE smackdown there for awhile with some of the hits.

Lady canes had a great run also, they just ran into probably the best team out there much like our men's team last year with Kansas.

Skool - LOL on that, it is to be expected which is crazy because there are other schools with deeper pockets. Also Ruiz goes out and gives the amounts being paid.

[CGNC]

We’ve got our hands full with UConn but no matter. The better THEY are, the better it feels to beat ‘em!

Posted by: DallasTX Cane | March 27, 2023 at 10:47 AM

Preach!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Having our hands full with Uconn is a massive understatement. I'm not gonna sit here and say we can't beat them (we can), but man, it's gonna be the toughest test yet matchup wise.

If we played UConn 10 times, I think we'd win 1 or 2, they'd win 8-9. This has to be that 1 or 2, and we're gonna have to play near perfect ball to do it

[BEERicane]

UConn hit a terrible stretch this year. They are capable of playing bad ball. The version that showed up against the zags tho… yikes.

Also a 5 seed has never won the tourney. Weird.

[BEERicane]

Got my Tix. Anyone else going?

[Old Skool]

With Miami knocking out both of the Texas teams, apparently the price of tix are dropping.

Also
Someone really correctly bet which four teams would make the Final Four after the first weekend…

$24 ➡️ $23K

The bet was placed the Monday following the opening weekend, prior to the Sweet 16.

The odds were over 950/1.

.

[TonyCane]

Wha a change. I can remember when Leonard Hamilton was building the program, seeing Steve Frazier and Constantine Popa on campus, to going to the Miami Arena to watch them play. Then to see Hamilton elevate them to the psi season, then to the Sweet 16. Only for regression to take place under Haiti and Clark.

And then Coach L comes along. Multiple NCAA appearances. Final 4 berth. Outstanding.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

I had such a wonderful day yesterday I decided to post about just a few of the best reasons why Miami can invite themselves to spoil the ball for Cinderella in one more game after this one, the three superstars on this roster.

#2 is going to get the jersey retired when he decides he's moving on, whenever that ends up being, and as the franchise player has finally started to smile on the court in the always best sign Miami has a chance to win another big game this season. For someone who wasn't sure they belonged at this level when he arrived he's shown that not only does he belong, he's who you pick first on your team no matter where the game is played, which is the highest honor any gamer can ever have bestowed on him in sports or life. If he can be the best player on the floor every night, they will always have a chance to win.

100% Jordan Miller is the best transfer pickup this program has ever had, but he's got to hold on for that title a while longer while his teammate who I'll get to later makes his run for that distinction soon. He's played an all around amazing tournament and has found ways to win his individual match up assignments more often than not consistently this postseason. If he gets the best of them again, Miami's offensive efficiency will be on pace to race to 80 if not 90 where they are very capable of winning a game even in April. This program never gets to where it is now without this guy, can't show enough respect for his game and his leadership, he's got a decent chance of hanging around as a pro for a sneakily long time too.

Of course, the third superstar on the roster, Omier, is going to face the toughest round of competition he's ever faced in his life this next game. He'll be challenged the most out of this core of the team to hold his own in order for Miami to have a chance to win, but the tenacity, speed and positioning he's displayed can be capable of running bigger and heavier opponents, like the ones he'll find on him against the Huskies, down and out of games late if the team is defensively capable of generating turnovers and forcing teams into bad volume shots in poor positions on the floor for conversion percentages. His ability to sell a convincing shot fake to his defender will be the key deciding factor in being able to get the opponent's front court players out of position and into early foul trouble, which is the easiest and most reliable way Miami can win this game outright. I hope he uses up all his collegiate eligibility at the University of Miami for his current coach as the sky is the limit building around this type of front court anchor for any roster.

Connecticut must win the majority of their assignments against all three of these guys, and you figure the refs will be helping their blue blood favorites out with some favorable officiating going their way too, to have a good chance at winning another national title this season like everyone expects them to. So, the pressure is off all three of them, even though UM fits a glass slipper just fine this season itself, despite the peaking of its program under the current regime. If this is where the program cashes out for the season, it's playing on house money for next year already too, which is always a great place to begin when you have to start all over again.

[MLALUMNI 1970]

The boys are sure winners, no matter what. The fact that they made it this far in that environment, is special. They can win. I watched Cinderella today, and the glass slipper can fit. GO CANES.
Thanks Tom for all that you do for us.❤️

[86Cane]

If this is where the program cashes out for the season, it's playing on house money for next year already too, which is always a great place to begin when you have to start all over again.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | March 28, 2023 at 02:05 PM

BEST POST OF THE YEAR.

[86Cane]

The boys are sure winners, no matter what. The fact that they made it this far in that environment, is special. They can win. I watched Cinderella today, and the glass slipper can fit. GO CANES.
Thanks Tom for all that you do for us.❤️

Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | March 28, 2023 at 07:18 PM

NO WAIT, BEST POST OF THE YEAR!

[JCane]

Side note: Anybody realize that Bill Murray's son is an asset coach at UConn?

Great summary, OGV. Can't wait to see how Poplar develops next year, too.

[VA Cane]

I know I talk too much preach too much....just very proud of the girls and guys basketball teams...I am a football guy....but 20 years of failure hurts.....these teams are what it is all about...no need to say it..just watch them....real winners who care about each other....execute and win!!!!!
Great teams...very proud!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Preach VA

[MLALUMNI 1970]

We all love our Canes and are so very proud of them, no matter what. BUT, WE CAN WIN. WE CAN WIN. WE CAN WIN!!!❤️🏝🏖

[CGNC]

Got my Tix. Anyone else going?

Posted by: BEERicane | March 27, 2023 at 08:36 PM

Sadly no, should be an exciting atmosphere. Have a great time. P.S. good to have you back on the blog

[CGNC]

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | March 28, 2023 at 02:05 PM

Great post! 100%. We are capable of winning this game, never doubt the heart and soul of a person/team and this team has plenty of both

“The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.” - Vince Lombardi

GO CANES!!!!!

[CGNC]

One more time, for the cheap seats:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1641088653895106560

[BEERicane]

CG,

I morphed into Basura, then BeyondBasura. Now I have a reason to hoist a beer so I’m back!!!!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

I was going to post this last night, and move on to the bad news posts today, but got busy and tired so this post is today and UConn will have to survive with all the ink the media can't stop ventilating with about them instead, not sure the best program of the last 25 years since I was in college can survive, but maybe they can tough it out regardless so I can instead discuss who Miami will need to play well for one more game to survive:

Lifewallet spokesperson extraordinaire Nigel Pack took a while to settle in to his new surroundings, but once he did, look out. This guy is as an under pressure shooter, one word; clutch, and sometimes, in basketball, clutch is king. I wasn't sure defensively he'd be able to hold his own more often than he didn't, but I was pleasantly surprised he has forged himself into a better than average defensive assignment, really looking forward to his running the point again next season now too. UConn's guards can loom large against him so he's got a tough draw Saturday.

Poplar was the most questionable promotion from last year's bench to this year's starting lineup and had the biggest set of sneakers to fill in McGusty, this was the most likely failure spot in the roster going into this season and now, it's the most tantalizing breakout about to happen spot in the lineup heading into next year when he puts on more muscle and becomes that much more unstoppable on the drive to the lane on offense. He is an excellent defensive pest, smaller guards are gobbled up in passing lanes by his length and bigger guards have their candy stolen by him if they want to attempt to get a first step by him. Forwards who lack prototype size have trouble with his length and leaping ability denying entry passes on them even if his on the block defense is an area he can improve on with development.

Joseph as the instigator off the bench is in a great role for his skill set. He can feast on tired starting back-court quarterbacks and if they must scramble to get back into games he provides that first key inbound play seal when the ball rotates to a sideline, the most important factor in making their scramble press defense set effective. His ability to shadow UConn's three point threats off the bench will be a key inflection point on how the final of this game turns out, hopefully he's locked on and locked in offensively to reduce turnovers in order to squeeze every efficiency point out of the transition plays Saturday.

That six rotational core stars can not do it by themselves because UConn goes nine deep, so Saturday will need the rest of the bench to play well if they only play 10 minutes even. Anthony Walker has seen minutes reduce as the success of the team has expanded exponentially but he's a great team player, always has great body language which is the most reliable thermometer of how things on the court are going any given night, and provides the physical edge mixed with unbridled athleticism this current front court exemplifies. He'll need to be ready to take on a massive height mismatch with length and great denial entry position on the floor next round. Beverly didn't play fantastic, and heard about it on the bench, last game, his size on the wing is going to be required though in this game. For someone I've just been happy to see make it through the year, he's got to lay it all on the line physically this time out because the finish line is in sight and pain is only temporary. Miami's Agent 0, AJ Casey, is going to be probably really really good, right now, he's effective, which is all you can ask for a true freshman who's not a five star McDonalds All-American right away. He's got five fouls a game to use and if UM is going to win this one, they may need him to give a few away near the end of halves this round so he'll need to keep his head in the game. Other than that, Christian Watson is intriguing as a 2 guard in the future, sky appears to be the limit for him, and soon. Favour Aire in about 25 to 30 extra pounds of muscle, and with a go to post move, is another prospect who has a bright future, his wingspan and measurables is exactly what Miami is too low on right now for this game so getting the roster deeper with guys like him is the key path for the program's future. Oosterbroek has a decent frame to build on but hasn't played enough for me to make any other judgements about his potential yet. Same with Robinson.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great Stuff OGV

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Reality today, here's who is going to need to beat who more often than not in the majority for UM to be able to advance to the final;

Jordan Hawkins - Wong
Andre Jackson Jr. - Miller
Alex Karaban - Poplar
Tristen Newton - Pack
Adama Sanogo - Omier

Their bench is deep tall and talented, so hopefully Houston's rims are as generous to UM as the Kansas City ones were:

Nahiem Alleyne - Joseph
Joey Calcaterra - Beverly
Hassan Diarra - Wong/Pack/Popular/Beverly
Donovan Clingan - Walker/Casey/Omier/Miller

The plan remains generally the same, the assignments just adapt this deep into single eliminations. Premium execution overcomes all.

[MLALUMNI 1970]

Love all your postings. Scared, nervous, excited and proud of our CANES.
What are all your thoughts and predictions about tomorrow night??
As you know, I am almost 75 and need this win, badly.
I guess we are all David, against Goliath.❤️

[Terrance Sullivan]

Outstanding Breakdown OGV!

[UMike]

Hey spacers!!! Is anyone going to the spring game? And where on campus is that big U logo? Lol.. I've never been to the campus but plan on going bedore game

[Terrance Sullivan]

UMike The Big U Logo is right over there by The UM Student Bookstore, also go by the Alumni Center and take a picture by The Sebastian The Ibis Statue, if it’s open stop by the Rat and grab a bite to eat and take a Picture over looking the Lake!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apQbGBVMgEU

Thoughts? On the game, huh?

"It will be a river of blood which spills between you, master of the forever past. And it will be your ancient congealed, dry caked ichor which will splatter the landscape like dry heat, washing Miami down in its dusty tears of time.
When you fall UConn...when your withered hand reaches out for mercy...when the master of the forever past asks for help...that is when the circle between you will be complete.
When you will be helpless before Miami as Miami was once before you.
And you will be given in return what you gave in kind. Nothing but scorn. It is, as you are so fond of always pointing out, survival of the fittest. Let's see which one of you survives."

[CGNC]

OGV - what a great live performance of that song! I hope the refs treat us fairly.

Great video of open practice yesterday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVaXUzb3jYw

Beeri/Basura/StillBasura: I like you as Beeri. Basura too negative LOL

[CGNC]

Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | March 31, 2023 at 11:48 AM

Yes, I have an old T-shirt from the 2000-2002 days that says on the front:
It's No Attitude

and on the back:
We're That good.

We win this whole thing and I will be wearing it. Not seeing much Canes coverage here in Palm Beach County because of FAU

[VA Cane]

OGV great posts....you are great about the hoops team!!!
CGNC throwing out Lombardi quotes got to love it! You need to get on the horn to Mario and get him up to date so he can convey it to the football team!!!!

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

"Winning isn't everything; wanting to win is the only thing"

Proud of these kids....its always tough when you get here; all you can ask for is to have a shot at the title...and we got one~!!!!1

Go Canes!!!!

[MLALUMNI 1970]

CGNC We always have had Attitude. Not cockiness, just U attitude.
Nervous and anxious about tonight, but I think that we have a fair chance of winning!❤️
What do you think?? I hope some of you are lucky enough to go to the game.
GO CANES!!❤️

[JCane]

Lots of Canes repping the orange and green in Houston! Nice to see.

[Dan Tana]

Cot damn, we got a ton of Canes fans at the arena in Houston. Awesome to see!!

Canes nation is hungry to cheer on the Orange and Green!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"Which Miami will come out to play tonight? Upright and moral protector of the ACC or self-deluded avenging force of nature? It comes down to a matter of which side of the coin Miami wishes would land face up. I hold the shiny silver quarter. It catches the devil's light just so. It teases and tantalizes you with the hint of treasures to come. You take it in your cold, hard fingers. I show you where to toss it. Houston is the playing court. You smile. The coin goes up, twisting and turning in mid air, not unlike the gentle ibis caught in the swirling tropical storm of lust and desperation. It lands, spinning light playing off your eyes . . . What comes up. Miami? Which will it be?"

[CGNC]

FAU loses at the buzzer by 1. Wow

LET'S GO CANES!!!!

[CGNC]

Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | April 01, 2023 at 01:02 PM

I think we can win. We can't make mistakes and get into foul trouble early though

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Refs called six fouls on the blue blood in 11 minutes, then none the last nine, guess they got the memo from NCAA table to swallow the whistles instantly.

[DallasTX Cane]

Too many missed layups. 12 per the commentators at the 6 min point.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Three more foul calls on UConn in the last 29 minutes of the game after six in the first 11. Did they play 1/5th as physical the other 3/4 of the game or did they get away with four fouls for every ref call against them? Looks like they played just as physical all game and the refs wanted their blue blood for the Cinderella ball finale. A fun ride, while it lasted though, beating the officials and other team this late in the competition is always a tough task to pull off.