#223 R.P.I. Virginia Tech @ #64 R.P.I. Miami:
The U started out the year 8-zip and has gone 8-9 ever since.
16 up and 9 down on the year, including an 8th place conference mark at a .5oo or 6-6 inside the A.c.c.
A better than average hoops squad; that is fighting for some version of post-season life as I type. Pretty G heavy squad less one lone starting big, and he who lives by the 3-point sword dies by the 3-ponit sword … at least on some nights.
Miami primer:
- 25th in Assist:Turnover ration (+1.34)
- 29th in 3-point makes per game (8.3 made 3’s)
- 59th in FT percentage (72.5%)
- Nothing worse than 217th (steals) | i.e. a very level/balanced looking team
- no injuries reported.
The U Backcourt: (returning starters=2 of 4)
Angel Rodriguez: 5’10” 180 lb. r-junior K.State transfer One. All-Big-12 second team prior to Miami so this kid can play. Career low 80’s free-throw shooter who is getting you 12.7 ppg with a team leading 4.4 dimes (apg) on a mere 32% overall. Does lead Miami in steals at 1.9 spg and does enjoy something of a reputation as a defensive stopper accordingly. Effort based, high-octane, calorie burning player with who will play right in your face. Just what any coach loves to see in that regard. Flew a bit under the scholastic radar no thanks to a high school senior year knee injury; not quite so V.H.T. (very highly touted) as one might expect per the same. Major and fearless penetration type Pt.G with a stunning 121 FTA’s already this year; (75.2% FT percentage).
Sheldon McClellan: 6’5” 2o5 lb. r-junior year off-G from H’town (Houston) Texas. Team M.v.p. with the lead in scoring (14.9 ppg), second best in rebounding (5), 2 assists, 1 steal on 51% overall and 81% from the charity stripe does not suck. 37% on 3’s does give Sheldon some credible 3-point range from this Texas Longhorn transfer Two. Outburst type scorer both in high school (57 once) and in college (37 once). 47th ranked baller in high school from ESPN.com. Family plays basketball all over the world, so both the X and Y chromosomes are N, B, A, (or overseas) willing.
Davon Reed: 6/6 2o8 lb. New Jersey off-G in his third year. Pure, sharpshooting, straight, sniper of a shooting-G from range. And his range is the gym, if Davon is in it, he is open. Just ask his 53% mark from 3-point land and his nearly mutual mark of 54% overall. This guy can flat out shoot the rock and you almost have to wonder how he only nets 7.4 ppg; or maybe if he should just shoot, more? (and how often to you have to coach today’s baller to do that?) Heady high basketball I.Q. baller who has also won several community performance awards and seems to embrace an old-school version of civics. Great on Davon the person. Was listed as a Swing outta high school (78th overall by ESPN.com), seems to be more of an over-match as a pure Two however in college. Dean’s Lister with a 3.5 G.p.a. How can you not love a kid like this?
James Palmer: 6-5 2oo lb. freshman S/G. Something of a modest surprise signee, even for a smooth looking confident shooter. As Jay Pee just did not have the most epic scholastic numbers I’ve ever studied (barely 15/game). 4 ppg on 42% and 32% from the floor and from range respectively is “ok”, and not much else. Had a likewise “ok” offer-sheet outta high school –does need FT work (58%), does need some time/some work/some NC2A reps. Is supposed to be something of a rangy baller or spot-up-shooter according to his ESPN.com scouting report. Can’t honestly tell you I’m seeing that on tape … at least not yet.
Cane Frontcourt: (starters back=none of one)
Tonye Jekir: 7′ 244 lb. right looking true-C Nigerian native at the Five. Not an oz. of wasted mass on this kid as he is real close to being a man’s man out there. Nice aggressive attitude on O, and protective vibe on D. Can play with his back to the basket or step out for a 10-12′ shot; runs the floor effortlessly, like a gazelle and has an red-line very high R.P.M. motor. Great footwork as a former soccer star. 12th ranked C according to Scout.com, chose Miami over Virginia Tech. Nets you a serviceable 8.2 ppg with a towering and A.c.c. leading 10.3 boards and 1.7 swats (4th in the A.c.c.) Prolly is an export or overseas talent on his Windex and defensive efforting alone.
Hurricane Bench: (~2 ballers)
- Manu Lecomte: 5’11” 17o lb. sophomore Pt.G. Brussels, Belgium imported Pure Point-G, who is a pass first, set ’em up, Qb the offense good. Deep range for a true Pt.G., will take and make in the clutch. Has extensive Euro experience at the age of 21. Third in scoring at 8.4 ppg; on a nifty 44.4% from downtown. (has a nice all-’round game to boot)
- Deandre Burnett: 6-2 195 lb. r-freshman Lead.G. Slick looking baller with a history of off-hand wrist injuries which have held him back a bit. Pure blowtorch scorer in high school, 38 ppg; great for third in the nation. 8 ppg so far shaking off that bum wrist on 37% overall. Check back in a few, this kid is a very intriguing looking prospect, at least offensively.
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Illation, conclusion (s) and OPT digits:
Virginia Tech is o for the year (o-8) on the road and Miami is 8-5 at home. The U just battled B.C. for 10 extra minutes (or 2 OT’s), on a short days rest due to a inclement weather postponement thanks to Octavia. Ergo, Virginia Tech is +2 in rest coming into this one, and perhaps more than that in focus and fatigue.
The Canes opened as 12 point home faves in this one.
Coach Larranaga (of Miami) himself made an interesting remark to the media on Tuesday afternoon, almost a confession of sorts that his team is struggling closing out on (or getting to) 3-point shooters when opposing teams spread the perimeter out along the 3-point arc. That sound like anybody that you know?
As Virginia Tech is 39% from the year from beyond the arc, or 31st best in the same. Miami on the other hand has softened in 3-point defense by 5% off their season average in the last two weeks.
***
Or in other words, there is a chance here, all the more so if the Hurricanes show any tired legs or fatigue on closing out on the O&M 3’s; or simply suffer an off-night as such an edge reliant team in their own right. As one could indeed deduce that Virginia Tech is catching Miami at just the right time.
Me? Well, seeing that both teams are scoring precisely the same 64.8 ppg in each teams most recent five contests’ … I’am gonna have to pick this one to go into overtime.
Virginia Tech has been better from the floor (2%) and from the arc (3%) over those very same last five games. That may not seem like much, although that is exactly all it takes in a dead even or pick ’em kinda game.
(23% confidence interval)
Virginia Tech=69, Miami U=67 (in one OT)
“LETS GO!”
“Hokies!”
bourbonstreet**
TSL schedule says the game is @Da U?????
Whoops!
Nice Eye as well.
thank you,
b.street