CATEGORY 6

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Tag Archives: Kenny Kadji

ACC announces full Men’s Basketball Schedule.

The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today its conference basketball schedule for the 2012-13 season. For the first time in league history, member schools will play 18-game ACC schedules.

Coach Larranaga and Reggie Johnson are ready for a huge season in ACC play.

Our take: With two games a piece against UNC and Duke, The ‘Canes will have their work cut out for them. On the plus side, should they be a bubble team, this will afford them more opportunity to enhance their NCAA resume. In either case with key performers returning in Reggie Johnson, Kenny Kadji, and the return from injury of senior Julian Gamble up front, as well as swing men Trey McKinney-Jones & Rion Brown, combining with the backcourt of Durand Scott and Shane Larkin, there is no reason Miami shouldn’t be a top 3 ACC team this season.

 

Miami’s ACC Schedule
Date Day Game Time Television
Jan. 5 Saturday Miami at Georgia Tech 2:30 ACCN ESPN3
Jan. 10 Thursday Miami at North Carolina 7:00 ESPN/ESPN2 WatchESPN
Jan. 13 Sunday Maryland at Miami 8:00 ESPNU WatchESPN
Jan. 16 Wednesday Miami at Boston College 7:00 RSN ESPN3
Jan. 23 Wednesday Duke at Miami 7:00 ESPN WatchESPN
Jan. 27 Sunday Florida State at Miami 6:00 ESPNU WatchESPN
Jan. 30 Wednesday Miami at Virginia Tech 9:00 RSN ESPN3
Feb. 2 Saturday Miami at NC State 4:00 CBS
Feb. 5 Tuesday Boston College at Miami 7:00 RSN ESPN3
Feb. 9 Saturday North Carolina at Miami 2:00 ESPN/ESPN2 WatchESPN
Feb. 13 Wednesday Miami at Florida State 7:00 ESPN/ESPN2 WatchESPN
Feb. 17 Sunday Miami at Clemson 6:00 ESPNU WatchESPN
Feb. 19 Tuesday Virginia at Miami 9:00 ESPNU WatchESPN
Feb. 23 Saturday Miami at Wake Forest 1:00 RSN ESPN3
Feb. 27 Wednesday Virginia Tech at Miami 7:00 RSN ESPN3
March 2 Saturday Miami at Duke 6:00 ESPN WatchESPN
March 6 Wednesday Georgia Tech at Miami 9:00 ACCN ESPN3
March 9 Saturday Clemson at Miami 2:30 ACCN ESPN3

‘Canes frontcourt underrated? Plus Random Thoughts.

During the long summer months with no hoops, experts and pundits love to make lists about which teams have the best units in College Basketball. I’ve seen a number of lists lately discussing which teams are the strongest/deepest up front. Most experts praise Indiana and the all around skill of Cody Zeller, Kansas with shot blocking extraordinaire Jeff Withey, and UNC with an expected break out from talented James McAdoo. Conspicuously absent from any of these lists are the Miami Hurricanes. But should the so-called experts be taking notice of the ‘Canes big men?

The "Experts" love Cody Zeller

 Consider this: Kenny Kadji averaged 11.7 ppg & 5.3 rpg, Reggie Johnson averaged 10 ppg & 7.2 rpg while playing at far less than 100%, Rion Brown averaged 7.2 ppg & 2.8 rpg but produced nearly twice that once inserted into the starting line-up, and Trey McKinney-Jones averaged 7.0 ppg & 3.5 rpg mostly off the bench. That’s 35.9 ppg and 18.8 rpg from a front court that not only returns each of its top 4 players, but also returns 6-10 265 pound Julian Gamble from injury. With Johnson expected back at full strength and Kadji’s continued development, Miami should have one of the deepest front lines not only in the ACC, but also the nation.

A healthy Reggie Johnson could mean big things for UM and Coach Larranaga.

Here are my non basketball thoughts of the week:

What a tragic week in the Boxing World. First Johnny Tapia passes away, then word of Paul Williams’ motorcycle accident then leaves him paralyzed from the waist down………

I am STILL not buying any PPV Boxing events until Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather agree to fight……

I’m not a huge hockey fan, but this goal by the Devils in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Rangers, is an example of perfect team work……..

I really hope that New Orleans Saints Linebacker and former UM star Jonathan Vilma is innocent of the allegations in the Saints bounty scandal. Vilma vehemently denies the charges, and has filed a lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Vilma is not only a great football player, but also a class act who was a model citizen and exceptional student as well at UM……

Good luck to UM’s baseball team in the upcoming NCAA baseball regionals/tournament!!…..

More to come soon.  As always feedback encouraged.

Category 6 Food for Thought (and Video) for the Long Offseasons.

99 days until the Miami Hurricanes open up at Boston College, (Wednesday September 1, 3:30 PM EST on ABC/ESPN2)  and we know you can’t wait!!  The big questions remain who will be the starting QB and how well will he play, and which newcomers will have an immediate impact?? Can the pinpoint accuracy of Ryan Williams supplant the NFL ready arm of Stephen Morris?? Is there any chance Duke Johnson or Tracy Howard red shirt?? In just over 3 months we will all find out.

Stephen Morris can really launch it!

My early predictions: Morris earns the starting job, and Johnson and Howard crack the special teams’ lineups immediately. With Morris limiting the INTs and the young studs making the defense better, the ‘Canes will win 8-9 games. Anthony Chickillo at DE, Denzel Perryman at LB, and Brandon McGee and Ray Ray Amstrong in the secondary will give Miami stars at all 3 levels of the defense.

Here’s a little 2012 Pump-Up video courtesy of the YouTube Legend “Canefreak 2001″:

 

Next season could be a banner year for UM Basketball. Nearly everyone is returning to a squad that overcame numerous injuries, suspensions, and personal tragedy to finish one game short of an NCAA birth. In addition to the young players’ improvement (Shane Larkin & Rion Brown in particular) the focus for the ‘Canes this offseason has to be staying healthy (Reggie Johnson) and getting stronger (Kenny Kadji).

Very Early Prediction: Miami finishes top 3 in the ACC and makes a big run in the NCAA Tournament. Larkin will be an all defensive player, Kadji and Johnson will be the best frontcourt duo in the league, and Durand Scott will emerge as a clutch player by season’s end.

Here’s a look at some of the work former Miami Strength and Conditioning Coach Todor Pandov implemented with the ‘Canes hoops team.

(Editor’s note: Jim Krumpos has replaced Pandov, it was earlier reported erroneously that Pandov was still with UM)

 

Congratulations to the baseball team on upsetting # 6 UNC 5-3 on Thursday in the ACC Tournament. The #21 ‘Canes (35-20) appear primed to make some noise in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

(Editor’s note: If there are any ‘Canes fans interested in covering baseball please contact us at category6um@gmail.com)

With that said, we hope everyone enjoys the long weekend.

 

‘Canes to get visit from Sparty in November.

The 2012 ACC/Big Ten Challenge schedule was announced yesterday, and Miami will be hosting a potential top 10 team in Michigan State. The defending Big Ten regular season champs will be heading to Coral Gables Wednesday November 28 (TBA) and should provide UM with a rugged early season test. Tom Izzo coached teams are notorious for their intense style and dominant inside play. Miami’s front court. returning Seniors Kenny Kadji and Reggie Johnson in particular,  will need to be at their best to pull out a victory over the Spartans. Fortunately for the Hurricanes all world forward Draymond Green will be playing in the NBA when this game tips off.

Michigan State will be a huge challenge.

Tuesday, November 27
No. 13 North Carolina at No. 1 Indiana
No. 6 NC State at No. 5 Michigan
No. 25 Minnesota at Florida State
Maryland at Northwestern
Iowa at Virginia Tech
Nebraska at Wake Forest

Wednesday, November 28
No. 8 Ohio State at No. 15 Duke
Virginia at No. 22 Wisconsin
No. 9 Michigan State at Miami
Purdue at Clemson
Georgia Tech at Illinois
Boston College at Penn State

The “What If” Miami made the NCAA Tournament Sim

After the disappointment of Selection Sunday and the terrible Tuesday of watching Iona blow a 25pt 2nd-half lead, we called on our Category 6 computer programmers to run a simulation. At first they resisted, despondent over What if Miami had been put in the play-in game instead of Iona? We also reverse simulated Durand Scott’s ridiculous suspension.

In the simulated play-in game, Miami took on BYU and came away with a virtually hard-fought 64-60 victory over the Cougars. The ‘Canes balanced attack was spearheaded by Trey McKinney Jones (12pts, 5reb, 1ast, 1stl).

After being cleared by the BSNCAA, Durand Scott (10pts, 7reb, 5ast, 1stl) struggled from the field but came up big on the glass and finding teammates for open looks. Scott drilled some big FT’s down the stretch to maintain Miami’s slim lead.

Kenny Kadji (11pts, 6reb, 1stl, 1blk) drilled his lone attempt from 3 and pinned Noah Hartsock against the glass on a big defensive possession. Malcolm Grant (9pts, 2reb, 2ast, 1stl) hit both his 3′s and DeQuan Jones (9pts, 5reb, 1) had a steal that led to a breakaway dunk.

Shane Larkin (5pts, 5reb, 4ast, 6stl) created chaos for BYU’s ball-handlers. Larkin picked Matt Carlino 3 times and finished one of those steals off with a spectacular lob to Rion Brown (6pts, 2reb, 1ast). Reggie Johnson (2pts, 6reb, 3ast) was double and triple-teamed when the ‘Canes tried to get it to him in the post. The attention paid to Reggie seemed to open up the deep ball for the ‘Canes. As a team Miami shot a sterling 9-17 (52.9%) from beyond the arc.

Next Up: Miami takes on 3-seed Marquette.

11-12 Brigham Young
MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A REB AST BLK STL TO PF TP
Noah Hartsock* 30 5-8 0-1 0-0 4 0 0 0 1 2 10
Brandon Davies* 30 5-11 0-0 4-5 8 0 1 2 2 3 14
Brock Zylstra* 29 3-10 1-6 1-2 3 0 0 4 2 2 8
Matt Carlino* 28 6-11 3-5 2-2 4 5 0 0 4 3 17
Charles Abouo* 27 1-9 1-4 0-0 6 4 0 0 1 2 3
Craig Cusick 19 1-3 1-2 0-0 2 4 0 1 2 0 3
Anson Winder 14 1-3 0-1 0-0 0 1 0 2 1 0 2
Nate Austin 12 1-3 0-1 0-0 6 0 1 0 1 2 2
Josh Sharp 11 0-0 0-0 1-2 2 1 0 0 1 1 1
TOTALS 200 23-58 6-20 8-11 35 15 2 9 15 15 60
39.7% 30.0% 72.7%

* – denotes game starter

11-12 Miami (FL)
MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A REB AST BLK STL TO PF TP
Durand Scott* 35 3-10 1-2 3-4 7 5 0 1 3 2 10
Kenny Kadji* 30 5-9 1-1 0-2 6 0 1 1 3 2 11
Reggie Johnson* 28 1-5 0-0 0-0 6 3 0 0 1 3 2
Malcolm Grant* 27 3-6 2-2 1-2 2 2 0 1 2 1 9
Shane Larkin* 25 2-3 1-1 0-0 5 4 0 6 1 2 5
Trey McKinney Jones 21 4-8 2-5 2-2 5 1 0 1 2 3 12
DeQuan Jones 18 4-10 1-3 0-0 5 0 0 1 2 0 9
Rion Brown 11 2-7 1-3 1-2 2 1 0 0 1 0 6
Garrius Adams 5 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0
TOTALS 200 24-58 9-17 7-12 39 16 1 11 16 14 64
41.4% 52.9% 58.3%

* – denotes game starter

Category 6 @ the ACC Tournament – Days 1-1.5

After arriving in Atlanta Wednesday morning we spent some quality time trying to navigate the streets of the city with a flawed map. You see, for some reason several streets are Peachtree this and Peachtree that.  With our geographical difficulties finally solved, we met up with other ‘Canes fans – Phillip and Amy – and we hit up Miami’s open practice in the afternoon.

It looked like the four of us were the only ‘Canes fans to attend the practice. Coach Larranaga was in the middle of things running a bunch of drills. The ‘Canes looked like they were loose and having a great time. At one point near the end of practice, Kenny Kadji went berserk from 3, hitting an astounding 14 in a row.

Trey McKinney Jones and Malcolm Grant were also locked in from beyond the arc. We took some video of the practice, but were later informed that videotaping the practice violated ACC policy. So we burned the tape and spread the ashes outside the Phillips Arena.

Next up was an encounter with a Coach Larranaga connection:

On Thursday morning, on the way to breakfast, we ran into 3 players from the Virginia Cavaliers. We weren’t sure who two of them were, but the limping 7-footer had to be Assane Sene. After a hearty meal, we hit the ACC FanFest. Aside from being an interactive commercial for GEICO and AT&T, there were a lot of fun things to do. Jerry took cues from Kadji’s performance at practice, and calmly stepped-up and nailed a spring-loaded 3-pointer for a free ACC T-shirt.

Here is some raw footage from ACC FanFest:

Mascots from every team were at the event – and Sebastian seemed to be relieved there were some other Miami fans lingering around. We ran into a few others, but there isn’t that much orange and green in Atlanta so far. Here is some footage from FanFest.

Tonight we’re planning on meeting up with some more ‘Canes fans and indulge in some pre-game festivities. At 9pm the world will stop for UM basketball fans as the ‘Canes take on Georgia Tech. If the ‘Canes can defeat GT tonight, Miami’s chances at making the NCAA Tournament will hinge on defeating rival FSU on a neutral court.

That’s all for now from Atlanta. Stay tuned to category6um.com for ‘Canes hoops coverage at the ACC Tournament.

Category 6 ACC Tournament Preview

The 59th Annual ACC Tournament kicks off this Thursday in Atlanta, and the biggest question other than how many “OOOOO’s and ARE YOU KIDDING ME’s??” Dick Vitale will scream out, is which bubble teams can help their chances?  In addition, if anyone can unseat powerhouses UNC and Duke, it will be the first time since 2004 when Maryland took home the crown.  In any event it promises to be a fun week filled with high drama and terrific hoops action.

Dickie V loves the ACC Tournament.

 

Teams with the most on the line: Miami, Virginia, NC State. The ‘Canes and Wolfpack are clearly on the bubble, but do not overlook the importance to winning at least one game on the slumping Hoos. A second round match-up between NC State and UVA just might be an NCAA Tournament elimination game. Miami likely needs to defeat both Georgia Tech and FSU to assure a trip to the tourney.

Reggie Johnson and Miami have some work to do in Atlanta.

Sleeper Alert: Clemson, Maryland. Clemson comes in on a hot streak, winning a 5 of their last 7. The Terps might have the most explosive individual player in the conference in Terrell Stoglin. Unfortunately Clemson stares at a possible second round meeting with Duke, and Maryland, UNC. But amongst the middle to lower echelon teams, these two are the most dangerous.

Which players will shine brightest?  Harrison Barnes can carry UNC to the title should he get hot. Malcolm Grant finally emerged from a season long shooting slump going 12-25 from downtown in his last 4. Mike Scott is my pick for ACC player of the year. He simply can not afford a bad game or UVA loses. Scott carried Virginia in its season finale with 35 points in their OT win over Maryland which clinched a 4 seed. If NC State makes a run it will no doubt be on the back of Calvin Leslie. Leslie has really raised the level of his play down the stretch, averaging 20.2 points and 10.1 rebounds over his last 5.

Harrison Barnes might just take over in ATL.

Predictions:

1st round: Maryland over Wake Forest, NC State over BC, Clemson  over Va Tech, Miami over Ga Tech.

Quarterfinals: UNC over Maryland, Virginia over NC State, Duke over Clemson, Miami over FSU.

Semifinals: Miami over Duke, UNC over Virginia.

Final: UNC defeats Miami.

MOP: Harrison Barnes, UNC.

ALL ACC Tournament Team: Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, Mike Scott, Malcolm Grant, Kenny Kadji.