Told Me Only Few Can Make It And The Faithless Ain't Allowed

Tuesday did not get the week started on the right foot for the men's basketball team at the University of Miami. After a thrilling start, the ESPN primetime game against Ohio State went down the shitter right after halftime.  Thanks to the senior star's antics, the Canes lost their offensive playmaker and eventually the game.  Today's match-up against Kentucky looms large for many reasons.

The Hurricanes need to rebound from this loss quicker than usual with another ESPN game today at Rupp Arena at 5:30 PM.  While Kentucky has not kept up their reputation as a Top-25 team in recent memory, they have reeled off five straight wins after a disappointing start to the season with two losses to Virginia Military Academy (!) and #1 North Carolina.  After beating a few lowly teams (like Delaware State, who probably has the hardest out of conference schedule I have ever seen for a team with a name like the 'Hornets'), the Wildcats won at home against Kansas State and West Virginia.

So while Kentucky is not back in the top echelon just yet, they still pose a challenge for the Hurricanes beyond just the on court match-ups.  The Hurricanes need to show their fans that Tuesday was an aberration, and that players on the team not named "Jack McClinton" actually do have the talent to compete in the A.C.C.  The Hurricanes need to make it clear today that they are capable of playing in places like Rupp Arena while holding their composure under pressure.  The Hurricanes need to prove their pre-season ranking was not a fraud.

The Wildcats are lead by 6-4 junior guard Jodie Meeks, who is averaging 24.6 points, a big step-up from last year's output of 8.8 ppg.  6-8 sophomore forward Patrick Patterson is also building on his fantastic freshman campaign for UK, posting totals of 17.1 points and 8.1 rebounds.  Rounding out the starting line-up are junior forwards Ramon Harris (8.7 points) and Perry Stevenson (6.0 points) junior guard Michael Porter (3.0 points).  

UK's squad has a very similar size make-up to their roster as that of Frank Haith, so all facets of the game will need to be on tonight.  Their guards are a little taller than the Canes starting 1, 2 and 3, but other than Jodie Meeks, the starters are not must-mark guys like Diebler and Turner were for the Buckeyes.  

Eddie Rios has been re-instated after his shenanigans, and Jack McClinton is going to play.  Let's see where that leaves the Canes come 7:30 PM or so tonight - hopefully a little better off than last time after that ESPN match-up.