State of the ‘Canes, Miami set for ACC Basketball

Miami has finished its out of conference schedule at 9-4 and the season so far has been nothing short of intriguing. Today we take a moment to analyze the first half of the year as well as look into what appears to be a very bright future.

The big question is, How far can Coach Larranaga take the 'Canes?

Steadiest Performer: Trey McKinney-Jones. TMJ may not lead the ‘Canes in scoring every night, but he has been their most consistent performer. He makes open shots, handles the ball, rebounds and defends well above average. And no one looks smoother executing a jumper off one dribble. Here’s a little of what TMJ can do:

(special thanks to Ed Schmitt, TMJ’s step dad for the video)

MVP:Reggie Johnson. The entire feel of the team changed when Big Reg

Reggie Johnson could be Miami's most important player.

returned to the lineup. His inside presence has changed everything. Is it any coincidence that UM’s perimeter players (Durand Scott and Rion Brown especially) have improved dramatically since Johnson returned? A close second would have to go to fellow big man Kenny Kadji who is rapidly improving. K2′s last outing against UNC-Greensboro (30 points, 12 rebounds) was dominant.

WINGSPAN: John Salmons would be very proud of UM’s current group of wing players. McKinney-Jones is both explosive and versatile. Rion Brown maybe their best shooter outside of Malcolm Grant. DeQuan Jones is an NBA slam dunk contestant in waiting, and is big enough to play some at the four spot. Garrius Adams has missed some time with injury but could be the best passer of the bunch. Miami’s group of small forwards started the season slow, but right now it looks like the ‘Canes have an embarrassment of riches at the three. TMJ, DQJ, Brown, and Adams are all outstanding options for Coach Larranaga going forward. Getting them all enough PT and touches may be the biggest challenge of all.

A Tale of two teams: In UM’s first 9 games (minus Reggie Johnson/DeQuan Jones) they averaged 67 points a game. In their last 4 they

Kenny Kadji just keeps getting better.

averaging a touch over 88 points a game, including 2 in which Malcolm Grant did not play. Their shooting has been blistering (117-210 55% as a team) since Johnson returned. Clearly the inside presence of Big Reggie along with the dramatic improvement of Kadji has made Miami into a completely different team. The bad news? In the same stretch they gave up 89 to UNC-Greensboro and 90 to FAU. The defense needs to pick up for the ‘Canes to thrive in the ACC.

Slam Dunk Opportunities: Saturday January 7, at Virginia. Tuesday January 10 at UNC. Sunday February 5 at Duke. Wednesday February 15 UNC. The NCAA Tournament Committee has not historically been kind to slow starts due to injuries or suspensions. So Miami needs a “signature” win. When the Tar Heels visit the Bank United Center 2/15, UM will have its best chance to duplicate what they did in 2007 when a win over Duke at home likely vaulted them to their last NCAA Tournament appearance. Hopefully the BUC will be rocking giving the ‘Canes a true home court edge. Miami played Carolina tough twice last year, so a win at home against UNC isn’t too unlikely.

Beating Coach K and Duke on the road is a major challenge.

Key Statistical leaders:

Malcolm Grant 14.5 pts, 36.7% 3pts.

Durand Scott can really fill up a stats sheet

Durand Scott 13.3 pts, 4.5 rebs, 3.5 assts.

Reggie Johnson 10.8 pts 6.5 rebs 2.2 blks 2.2 assts

Kenny Kadji 10.6 pts 5.6 rebs 1.8 blks

Shane Larkin 8.8 pts 2.7 rebs 2.4 assts 1.8 stls

Trey McKinney-Jones 8.5 pts 4.5 rebs 2.0 assts

Dequan Jones 7.0 pts 5.3 rebs

Rion Brown 6.4 pts 40.4% 3 pts

Garrius Adams 5.7 pts 3.3 rebs

Erik Swoope 3.9 pts 2.7 rebs

Prediction: Miami has everything it needs to kick some serious butt in conference play. Any coach in the Conference would love to have the guard play of Malcolm Grant, Shane Larkin, and Durand Scott. Reggie Johnson is a force. His return has made all the difference this year. And Kenny Kadji gives Johnson the protection inside he’s never had. 10-6 (3rd place) in the ACC and an at large bid in the NCAAs is my conservative estimate, knowing the some teams that are struggling now may improve by season’s end. Additionally, this would give UM a first round bye in the ACC Basketball tournament and allow Josh and I an extra day of drinking in Atlanta (like we need it). Then on to the NCAA Tourney, where with Coach Larranaga at the helm, a deep run is very possible.

Miami needs fans to fill the BUC more often.

Category 6 Recap: Miami 93 FAU 90 (2OT)

Reggie Johnson returned in a big way and Miami held on in a barn burner 93-90 over FAU in double overtime in the Orange Bowl Classic. Miami appeared

UM fans are all smiles not that Reggie Johnson is back.

to have the game under control up by 4 with just over a minute to go but a mysterious Reggie Miller like non-call on an obvious foul of Malcolm Grant lead to a turnover and opened the door for FAU. The miraculous turnaround was complete when Omari Grier hit a long three-pointer with 1.7 seconds left. UM again was up by three in the first OT when Grier struck again, hitting another tying three with 31 seconds left. Miami had a chance to win in OT but Reggie Johnson’s tip in at the buzzer sailed off the back rim. In the second OT the teams continued to trade big shot after big shot, and the ‘Canes were up by three yet again. Malcolm Grant was fouled with under ten seconds left and inexplicably missed both free throws. FAU rebounded and Raymond Taylor raced up court. The 5’6 Taylor, who was a headache all day for Miami, missed a three that would have sent the game into triple OT.

Player of the Game: Reggie Johnson (15 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast 5 blk). Who else? His presence was big on both ends of the floor. FAU had no answer for Big Reg! Pretty good for a guy who was supposed to get 6 or 7 minutes. Kenny Kadji gets an honorable mention with his big game.

Offensive Player of the Game: Kenny Kadji (21 pts 3-3 on 3 PT FGs). Could have gone with Johnson again here or Greer (27 pts 7-12 on 3 PT FGs) and Raymond Taylor (20 pts, 9 ast, and a gazillion circus shots) who were both spectacular for FAU. But in the 2nd half with FAU threatening to put up a big run, Kadji’s 2 clutch threes kept UM close.

Defensive Player of the Game: REGGIE REGGIE REGGIE!! Aside from blocking shots, the big man drew two big charges. Florida Atlantic played a fearless game but Johnson’s presence kept them from taking it to the hoop every time.

The Good: Both teams shot the ball incredibly well (UM 14-20 on 3 PT

Rion Brown played a strong game for UM Saturday.

FGS FAU 15-29). Reggie’s return was as good as any UM fan could hope as he logged 36 minutes. Rion Brown(15 points 4-5 3 PT FGs) looked his sharpest so far this year.

The Bad: The rebounding was atrocious. Miami could not keep Florida Atlantic from dishing and kicking for open looks all game. Malcolm Grant (3-6 on FTs) seems to have lost his touch at the line.

The Ugly: The referees were awful. The push on Grant was one of many missed calls. At one point Shane Larkin was head butted on an awkward move by Taylor and called for a foul. The announcers on FSN did everything but high-five each other when FAU made a big play.

Offense: A+. For the first time all year there was a semblance of an inside-out game. Everyone knocked down open looks. The ball movement and passing was as crisp as it has been all year.

Defense: C-. The ‘Canes continue to give smaller teams second chance looks.

While they played hard, they did not do a good enough job keeping their man in front of them. Give FAU some credit here for making some amazing shots.

Next Game: Miami returns to action Thursday night at Charlotte (6-2) at 7:30 pm EST.

Florida Atlantic

Name	Min	FG	3Pt	FT	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	Pts
D. Mavin	12	0-2	0-0	0-0	1	2	1	2	0	0	1	0
P. Bertone	42	2-12	1-4	1-2	1	6	2	2	0	2	4	6
R. Taylor	46	7-17	4-9	2-2	1	3	9	4	0	0	2	20
K. White	32	8-13	2-3	0-0	4	6	0	2	3	0	0	18
O. Grier	47	9-17	7-12	2-2	0	3	2	1	1	0	2	27
A. Mattison	5	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
A. Tucker	41	4-6	1-1	4-5	1	2	7	3	6	0	3	13
S. Richardson	4	0-0	0-0	1-1	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	1
J. McCoy	21	2-4	0-0	1-2	3	6	0	1	0	0	5	5
Totals		32-71	15-29	11-14	11	28	21	16	10	3	18	90
Percentages		.451	.517	.786			Team Rebounds: 7

Miami (FL)

Name	Min	FG	3Pt	FT	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	Pts
M. Grant	42	2-5	2-2	3-6	0	3	5	5	2	0	2	9
T. McKinney Jones	26	4-5	2-3	0-0	0	3	4	2	0	1	2	10
E. Swoope	10	1-2	0-0	0-0	0	1	0	0	1	1	1	2
D. Scott	45	7-11	2-5	2-2	0	1	2	4	0	0	3	18
K. Kadji	37	7-11	3-3	4-5	0	3	0	2	2	3	1	21
S. Larkin	27	1-3	1-2	0-0	0	2	4	2	1	0	3	3
R. Brown	27	5-7	4-5	1-2	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	15
R. Johnson	36	4-6	0-0	7-10	2	9	5	2	1	5	3	15
Totals		31-50	14-20	17-25	2	22	20	18	7	10	17	93
Percentages		.620	.700	.680			Team Rebounds: 3

Welcome Back, Reggie . . .

The tweets were twitting today as news that ‘Canes C Reggie Johnson is planning to make his season debut on Saturday against the FAU Owls. According to Coach Larranaga, Reggie will play limited minutes.

In case you forgot what Big Reggie is capable of, see below:

How many minutes does Reggie play? If he plays more than 10 I’d be surprised. Still, it will be a boost for the ‘Canes. Maybe Johnson works as a metronome and the ‘Canes can shoot their way out of an offensive slump. The best part of Johnson returning is that the ‘Canes have 4 games before ACC play starts. Those 4 games are spaced over 22-23 days before a match-up in Charlottesville on January 7th. FAU, Charlotte, Appalachian State, and UNC Greensboro. Assuming some kind of catastrophe doesn’t occur due to 2012 (even though the projected date is later in the year) it looks like Reggie could be pretty close to full strength in time for the Virginia Cavaliers.

We’ve been missing some of this:

You have to figure that the ‘Canes wouldn’t gamble with Johnson’s health and rush him back early. If anything, I’m guessing they probably waited extra-long to make sure Reggie’s knee was sound. Let’s hope he can get acclimated to the new system and help the ‘Canes out on the interior. ACC play is where this team is going to gel and move forward. Johnson is a big piece to the puzzle. How big? Only time will tell, but let’s hope it galvanizes the ‘Canes on the hardwood.

Category 6 Basketball Simulation: Miami (2010-2011) vs. FAU (2010-2011)

Miami ventures to Sunrise to take on the FAU Owls in the Orange Bowl Classic. The Orange Bowl, as many of you know, has been demolished and a new structure has been built atop of its foundation. If you recall, this is basically the plot for Poltergeist.

In honor of this match-up the computer scientists at Category 6 have run a computer simulation based on last year’s team stats. The program uses some kind of algorithm to generate a pretty detailed box score.

In this 2010-2011 fantasy match-up, the ‘Canes emerged victorious with an 86-76 victory at a simulated neutral site.

*Bolded players are predicted to play in Saturday’s game.

Raymond Taylor (2) was on fire in the 1st half.

The Owls got off to a fast start due to the efforts of 5’6 PG Raymond Taylor who paced the Owls to a 41-39 lead at the half with lock-on shooting and dribble penetrations that led to some success on the inside for F Kore White. Taylor was on fire, hitting all 4 of his trifectas in the first half, including one from the corner as the half ended.

It was at this moment that Miami’s coach Frank Haith took of his jacket and slammed it on the floor. Owl star G Greg Gantt was largely kept in check by the ‘Canes. For the ‘Canes, Durand Scott and Reggie Johnson kept the ‘Canes in it, along with some crisp passing by Malcolm Grant.

Reggie Johnson (42) isn't just big . . . he's gigantic and he dished out some serious simulation punishment on the FAU Owls.

The Owls may have won the first half, but the ‘Canes came out storming in the latter frame. Adrian Thomas sank a couple of threes early on in the half to give the ‘Canes a lead they would build on by going to Johnson down low and having Scott cut his way to the basket. Grant carved through the defense and delivered a no-look pass to Julian Gamble who delivered an emphatic dunk. The ‘Cane attack proved to be too much for Owl defenders who racked up the fouls and sent the ‘Canes to the line where they converted a whopping 27-31 (87.1%). White fouled out with 5 minutes on the clock, paving the way for Johnson to get some easy buckets to keep the Owls at bay.

Durand Scott (1) had a big-time simulated game with 25pts.

Obviously a lot has changed for both teams since last year. The game on Saturday will be a great opportunity for the ‘Canes to get another tick in the win column. Don’t be fooled, the Owls under coach Mike Jarvis will come to play. Without Johnson, Gamble, and DeQuan Jones the ‘Canes lose out on 29 simulated points and 16 simulated rebounds. That production – real or imagined – is going to have to come from other sources. Look for our preview of this game in the next day or two.

FINAL
10-11 Miami (FL)		86
10-11 Florida Atlantic		76

VISITING TEAM: 10-11 Miami (FL)
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PT M/A	FTM/FTA	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
Durand Scott	35	8/13	2/5	7/8	4	3	0	2	3	3	25
Malcolm Grant	32	2/5	2/5	2/2	3	8	0	2	2	1	8
Adrian Thomas	27	3/6	3/6	4/6	3	3	0	0	2	1	13
Reggie Johnson	26	6/12	0/0	6/6	9	1	1	0	2	3	18
Garrius Adams	25	1/4	0/1	4/4	3	3	0	1	1	1	6
Julian Gamble	19	2/3	0/0	0/0	3	0	1	0	1	3	4
Rion Brown	16	1/4	0/2	1/1	0	1	0	1	1	2	3
DeQuan Jones	15	3/6	0/1	1/2	4	0	0	1	1	0	7
Raphael Akpejiori	5	0/0	0/0	2/2	2	0	0	0	0	1	2
TOTALS	200	26/53	7/20	27/31	31	19	2	7	13	15	86
		49.1%	35.0%	87.1%

HOME TEAM: 10-11 Florida Atlantic
PLAYER	MIN	FGM/FGA	3PTM/A	FTM/FTA	REB	AST	BLK	STL	TO	PF	TP
Raymond Taylor	32	7/13	4/7	3/3	3	9	0	3	4	4	21
Brett Royster	32	6/9	0/0	3/4	7	0	1	0	3	4	15
Alex Tucker	32	4/9	0/0	4/4	3	7	0	1	2	3	12
Kore White	27	5/11	0/0	0/0	6	0	2	2	2	5	10
Greg Gantt	24	3/7	1/3	1/2	3	0	0	0	1	3	8
Dennis Mavin	14	1/3	0/1	2/2	2	1	0	0	1	2	4
Pablo Bertone	10	2/5	0/1	0/1	2	0	1	0	0	0	4
Shavar Richardson	9	0/1	0/1	0/0	0	2	0	1	1	1	0
Jordan McCoy	7	1/1	0/0	0/0	1	0	0	1	0	1	2
Justin Davis	7	0/0	0/0	0/0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Andre Mattison	6	0/1	0/0	0/0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0
TOTALS	200	29/60	5/13	13/16	29	19	4	8	14	24	76
		48.3%	38.5%	81.3%

CATEGORY 6

It's all about . . . The U!!!

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