You (looking nervous): "I know...I just...I just can't believe it. I don't know if I'm ready!"
Mom: "Well, are you scared? Are you nervous?"
You: "A little. Shouldn't I be?"
The answer is yes, Miami Basketball Fan, you should be. We're not talking about your bar mitzvah here. This isn't your high school graduation or your first of many weddings (you scumbag). This is bigger than all of that.
Tomorrow is a different kind of Saturday in Coral Gables. You're not headed to Dolphin Stadium to get smashed, only to ask yourself an hour later why you decided to shotgun just one more Natty Light as you boil in the Florida heat. Saturday marks the official beginning of a story whose introduction actually began a long time ago but concluded with a three-point loss in Arkansas last March. The first chapter of this story begins Saturday night at 7:30 PM, and it starts with a BankUnited Battle with Florida Southern.
Alright, what do I need to know about this team?
Two-time Captain and all-ACC first teamer Jack McClinton is back for his senior season and is looking to improve on his 17.7 points per game totals. He led the ACC in free throw percentage, hitting 91.9% (!) of his FT attempts. The charity stripe means just that when Jack's on the line - free points. His scandalous 42.7% three-point field goal percentage was good for second in the conference. #33 will play both shooting guard and point guard over the course of the season. He's the best player on the team and one of the best in the history of the program, and if the Canes are to make it deep into the tournament this year, Jack will have to have another spectacular season.
Great, I'll remember to look for #33. What about the other guys?
Luckily for you, my friend, Head Coach Frank Haith has his deepest roster to date. There aren't a shortage of players to keep your eyes on. Lance Hurdle (#1) will be manning the point guard position when he's on the floor. He's fast, he's athletic (read: crazy leaping abilities), and he's a decent shooter (34.1% from three-ball range). Lance has to cut down on the unforced turnovers and run the offense at a speed where sixth gear isn't his one and only option. If the senior does his job adequately at point (instead of trying to do too much), the team will only stand to benefit. Sophomore Eddie Rios (#5) backs Lance up and, as of pre-season, looked like he had turned a page in his game. He showed improved handles and passing against powerhouses Florida Memorial and Barry in pre-season match-ups. Take note of the sarcasm, please (with regards to hiscompetition, not his own improvement).
Alright so if Lance and Eddie are running the offense for the most part, who will they be dishing the rock to?
Well, Jack for one. Junior James Dews (#23) is another one of the best shooters in the ACC. He was the second-leading scorer for the Canes last year at 10.4 ppg, shooting 42.8% from the field and 37.2% from behind the arc in the process. Combine those two statistics with a 90%+ free throw percentage, and expect to see James get the ball a lot more, especially as the primary option when Jack's off the floor. His best game was a 20-point showing against Georgia Tech in early January, and his 17-point contribution against Providence helped the Canes win the title in Puerto Rico.
Ok, so Dews can shoot it a little bit. Anyone else?
Ah, I almost forgot Brian Asbury, of course. #32 is an unquestioned talent everytime he steps on the floor - with size (6-7) and an incredible stroke, the only question will be (just as it always has been) if the senior shows up. He averaged 8.8 points for the Canes last season, but was incredibly up-and-down. He scored 15 points in the big win against Duke and then 12 in another victory over Maryland. He followed up those games, however, with outputs of 5, 3, and 5 against Clemson, Virginia and BC respectively. Will the real Brian Asbury please stand up?
All you're doing is talking about the shooters...what about the big men? There has to be a guy or two who can bang down low, right?
You better believe it. Meet Dwayne Collins. The 6'9'' monster energized the Canes with key dunks and rebounding throughout the season. He averaged 8.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg as a sophomore, but will be improving on those totals with increased playing time thanks to the departure of Anthony King from the frontline. Compare his totals in the two contests against Duke for a clear sign of his importance to the team's success: after getting into early foul trouble against the Dookies, Collins netted only two points and four rebounds in nine minutes in a 88-73 thrashing at Cameron Indoor. The next game? 26 points and seven boards in a Hurricane victory. Watch out for #21.
Senior Jimmy Graham will be another important player for the Canes this year. Double-Zero enjoyed his best season as a Hurricane starter last year, providing tremendous heart and enthusiasm from start to finish. The 6'8'' forward plays like he's ten feet tall, grabbing boards and intimidating any slashers with thunderous swatting abilities. He averages about five and five, but his numbers are nowhere equivalent to his importance to the team.
I thought you said this was the deepest team in years? That's only six or seven guys!
Relax, young Padawan. We haven't even started discussing the newcomers yet. Freshman DeQuan Jones might be the most gifted player on the team - Frank Haith has repeatedly described him as the best player he has ever recruited. Ranked in the Rivals Top-25 graduating seniors of 2008, the 6-6 swingman gives the team a slasher they desperately needed last season. His athleticism is unmatched, and his dunking abilities were YouTube-worthy...back in high-school. DeQuan is the biggest key to the future success of Miami basketball. He is the franchise. Many expect him to start by the time ACC season rolls around.
Cyrus McGowan may also start a few games for the Canes this year. A transfer from Arkansas, McGowan provides outside shooting abilities and tremendous rebounding talent. Another friendly addition to an already likable cast of characters, McGowan should be fun to watch. Coach Haith seems to expect very big things from his junior big man.
Is that it?
Don't say that so pessimistically. That's a lot of talent! Julian Gamble will see some minutes down low as a redshirt freshman, but many expect freshman Reggie Johnson to redshirt. Malcolm Grant, an incredible point guard transfer from Villanova, will have to sit out a year for eligibility purposes.
So I've got a good idea about the team's make-up. What about the schedule? Is it tougher than last year's?
Absolutely. Out-of-conference additions like Ohio State (12/2) and Kentucky (12/6) make the schedule a lot more difficult. Add those two contests to match-ups with potentially UConn and Wisconsin (if all goes according to plan) starting on November 21st at the Paradise Jam tournament in the Virgin Islands, and the Canes will hopefully have quite a few impressive wins by season's end. Hopefully.
Otherwise, the ACC schedule is the usual scary looking assortment of contests against some of the best teams in the country. Highlights include a match-up with North Carolina at the Dean Dome (1/17) and an afternoon tilt with Duke (2/7) at Cameron Indoor. As for home games, the Canes have a match-up with the Tar Heels (2/15) and a key match-up against Wake Forest (2/4) in a battle between two of the most talented ACC teams.
Any last notes before I head to the BankUnited tomorrow night?
With Frank Haith at the helm of the most talented Canes hoops team in years, it's time for a change in Coral Gables. Tomorrow will be fun.
Let's get it started.
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